Prophylactic Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Emergency Laparotomy: No Significant Reduction in Surgical Site Infections

Examining 65,803 emergency laparotomy patients, researchers found no significant difference in surgical site infection (SSI) rates when comparing prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) to standard dressings. Propensity-matched cohorts with completely or partially closed incisions showed similar SSI rates (13.4% vs. 11.9% and 3.6% vs. 4.4%, respectively). Secondary outcomes, including postoperative complications and hospital length of stay, did not significantly differ between NPWT and standard dressing groups, suggesting no substantial benefit in reducing SSIs with prophylactic NPWT.