Multicenter parallel randomized trial evaluating incisional negative pressure wound therapy for the prevention of surgical site infection after lower extremity bypass.

OBJECTIVE: Incisional negative pressure wound therapy (iNPWT) applied over all incisions after lower extremity bypass in the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs) is unclear. The primary and secondary aims of this study were to investigate if prophylactic iNPWT after the elective lower extremity bypass prevents SSI and other surgical wound complications. METHODS: This was a multicenter, parallel, randomized controlled trial. Patients undergoing elective lower extremity bypass in 3 hospitals were randomized to either iNPWT or standard dressings. SSIs or other wound complications were assessed within the first 90 days by wound care professionals blinded to the randomized result. The validated Additional treatment, Serous discharge, Erythema, Purulent exudate, Separation of deep tissues, Isolation of bacteria, and Stay (ASEPSIS) score was used to objectively assess the wounds. ASEPSIS score ≥21 is defined as an SSI. Unilateral and bilateral groups were analyzed with the Fisher exact test and the McNemar test, respectively. RESULTS: In the unilateral group (n = 100), the incidence of SSI in the iNPWT group was 34.9% (15/43), compared with 40.3% (23/57) in the control group, according to the ASEPSIS score (P = .678). In the bilateral group (n = 7), the SSI rate was 14.3% (1/7) in the iNPWT group compared with 14.3% (1/7) in the control group (P = 1.00). In the unilateral group, there was a higher wound dehiscence rate in the control group (43.9%) compared with the iNPWT group (23.3%) (P = .0366). No serious iNPWT-related adverse events were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: There was no reduction of SSI rates in leg incisions with iNPWT compared with standard dressings in patients undergoing elective lower extremity bypass, whereas iNPWT reduced the incidence of wound dehiscence.