• N Hyldig, H Birke-Sorensen, M Kruse, C Vinter, J S Joergensen, J A Sorensen, O Mogensen, R F Lamont, and C Bille.
• Department of Plastic Surgery, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Institute of Clinical Research, Research Unit of Plastic Surgery, Odense, Denmark.
• Br J Surg. 2016 Apr 1; 103 (5): 477-86.

BackgroundPostoperative wound complications are common following surgical procedures. Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is well recognized for the management of open wounds and has been applied recently to closed surgical incisions. The evidence base to support this intervention is limited. The aim of this study was to assess whether NPWT reduces postoperative wound complications when applied to closed surgical incisions.MethodsThis was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials of NPWT compared with standard postoperative dressings on closed surgical incisions.ResultsTen studies met the inclusion criteria, reporting on 1311 incisions in 1089 patients. NPWT was associated with a significant reduction in wound infection (relative risk (RR) 0·54, 95 per cent c.i. 0·33 to 0·89) and seroma formation (RR 0·48, 0·27 to 0·84) compared with standard care. The reduction in wound dehiscence was not significant. The numbers needed to treat were three (seroma), 17 (dehiscence) and 25 (infection). Methodological heterogeneity across studies led to downgrading of the quality of evidence to moderate for infection and seroma, and low for dehiscence.ConclusionCompared with standard postoperative dressings, NPWT significantly reduced the rate of wound infection and seroma when applied to closed surgical wounds. Heterogeneity between the included studies means that no general recommendations can be made yet.© 2016 The Authors. BJS published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of BJS Society Ltd.

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