Incisional Application of Negative Pressure for Nontraumatic Lower Extremity Amputations: A Review.

Incisional Application of Negative Pressure for Nontraumatic Lower Extremity Amputations: A Review. Surg Technol Int. 2018 Nov 23;34: Authors: Kotha V, Walter E, Stimac G, Kim P Abstract In the environment of diabetes and peripheral vascular disease (PVD), there is a high risk of incisional complications following amputation, including seroma, hematoma, infection, and dehiscence. Incisional negative-pressure wound therapy (iNPWT) is a novel application of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) that may be able to mitigate these complications and reduce the need for revisional surgery (including higher-level major lower-extremity amputations). It may also facilitate an increased rate of healing and earlier return to function. iNPWT has been used successfully in high-risk patients to decrease complications. In highly comorbid patients receiving iNPWT for primary closure of abdominal wall reconstruction, incisional infection rates were reduced from 48% to 7% (p=0.029). Furthermore, the need for revisional surgery was significantly decreased in those treated with iNPWT (48% vs.7%, p<0.001), as was the rate of dehiscence (10.68% vs. 5.32%, p<0.001). Major lower-extremity amputations in the multi-comorbid patient have a 16% incidence of incisional dehiscence. Additionally, the rate of infection has been reported to be as high as 22%. Five-year mortality following major lower-extremity amputation is reported to be 50% or higher. This ...
Source: Surgical Technology International - Category: Surgery Tags: Surg Technol Int Source Type: research