Effect of closed negative pressure wound therapy after laparotomy for gastrointestinal perforation: A single-center observational study

Abstract

Aim

Laparotomy for gastrointestinal perforation is associated with a high risk of surgical site infection (SSI). The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of closed negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) against SSI in patients undergoing laparotomy for gastrointestinal perforation.

Methods

This single-center, retrospective, observational study was carried out in a tertiary emergency medical center. We performed closed NPWT following emergency laparotomy for gastrointestinal perforation between May 2019 and May 2024, and compared it to standard dressings used between January 2016 and April 2019. Cases of open abdominal management were excluded. The primary outcome was the incidence of superficial and deep SSI between the two groups.

Results

The closed NPWT group comprised 65 patients, and the standard dressing group comprised 62 patients. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics, comorbidities, operative indications, and wound classification between the two groups. The rate of superficial and deep SSI was significantly lower with closed NPWT (26.2% with closed NPWT vs. 45.2% with standard dressing, p = 0.028).

Conclusion

The application of closed NPWT in patients undergoing laparotomy for gastrointestinal perforation was associated with a lower incidence of SSI compared with that of a standard surgical dressing.