Closed-Incision Negative-Pressure Therapy Versus Antimicrobial Dressings After Revision Hip and Knee Surgery: A Comparative Study

J Arthroplasty. 2016 May;31(5):1047-52. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2015.11.010. Epub 2015 Nov 26.

Abstract

Background: This study evaluates the efficacy of closed-incision negative-pressure therapy (ciNPT) in decreasing wound complications and surgical site infections (SSIs) after revision hip and knee surgery.

Methods: A retrospective quality improvement analysis of 138 consecutive revision hip and knee operations performed by a single surgeon over a 34-month period was performed. ciNPT was used selectively in higher-risk patients with multiple risk factors for SSIs over the last 15 months of the study period. Rates of wound complications, SSIs, and reoperation were compared with patients treated with a sterile antimicrobial dressing.

Results: Antimicrobial dressings were used in 108 patients, whereas ciNPT was used in 30 patients. Patients treated with ciNPT developed fewer overall wound complications (6.7% vs 26.9%, P = .024) and fewer total SSIs (3.3% vs 18.5%, P = .045) than patients treated with antimicrobial dressings. In addition, there were trends toward a lower rate of superficial wound dehiscence (6.7% vs 19.4%, P = .163), fewer deep periprosthetic joint infections (0.0% vs 9.3%, P = .118), and fewer reoperations (3.3% vs 13.0%, P = .191) among patients treated with ciNPT.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that ciNPT may decrease wound complications and SSIs in patients undergoing revision hip and knee surgery.

Keywords: closed-incision negative-pressure therapy; hip revision; knee revision; prevention; quality improvement; surgical site infections.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Infective Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / adverse effects*
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / adverse effects*
  • Bandages*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy*
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / etiology
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / therapy
  • Quality Improvement
  • Reoperation
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Surgical Wound Infection / etiology
  • Surgical Wound Infection / therapy*

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents