In WoundSource’s Research Reviews, learn more about emerging research in wound care. View the full original article on Wounds here.

A recent article in Wounds took a closer look at the effectiveness of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) in treating complex deep surgical site infections following cardiothoracic surgery, particularly those affecting the sternum and mediastinum.¹ These types of infections have the potential to lead to severe complications, including osteomyelitis and mediastinitis, with high morbidity and mortality rates. The authors pointed out that NPWT has been recognized for its ability to enhance wound healing and potentially reduce hospital stays in various surgical contexts, including cardiothoracic procedures.¹

The study involved a retrospective review of 18 patients treated with NPWT for deep surgical infections after undergoing cardiothoracic surgeries over a nearly 6 year period.¹ The cohort included a diverse range of cases, with a mean age of approximately 49 years and a male-to-female ratio of 5:4. Most patients had significant comorbidities, such as diabetes and hypertension, and required antibiotic therapy due to positive wound cultures, often revealing polymicrobial infections.¹

NPWT was applied for between 4 to 120 days, with an average hospital stay of 62.8 days.¹ The authors shared that the therapy was effective in promoting wound healing without major complications. One patient did expire from unrelated septic shock, however. The study highlighted specific cases, including those with empyema and mediastinitis, demonstrating their finding of NPWT's ability to manage complicated infections effectively.

While NPWT has shown promising outcomes, the authors recognize the study’s limitations, including the small sample size and the absence of a control group for comparative analysis. It suggests that further randomized controlled trials are needed to validate these findings and expand the evidence base for NPWT in cardiothoracic applications.¹

In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that NPWT can be a beneficial treatment modality for complex deep surgical site infections in cardiothoracic patients, potentially leading to better wound healing, reduced hospital stays, and lower morbidity and mortality rates. Per the authors, future research should aim to strengthen the evidence supporting NPWT's role in this field.¹

Reference

1.        Aljehani Y, Alrashaid F, El-Bawab H, et al. The utility of negative pressure wound therapy in the management of complex deep cardiothoracic surgical site infections. Wounds. 2024;36(5):170-176. doi: 10.25270/wnds/23133. PMID: 38861213.