Incisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

The Efficacy of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) in the Postoperative Management of Complex Spinal Surgeries: A Randomized Outcomes Study.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcome of incisional negative pressure wound therapy in preventing surgical site infections and wound complications (dehiscence) in high-risk patients undergoing complex spinal surgery.

This randomized, controlled study will compare the outcomes of NPWT versus the outcomes of not using NPWT in post-operative wound management following a complex spinal surgery. The allocation of patients (no NPWT device versus applying an NPWT device) will be determined by computer-generated randomization. The following data will be collected to determine impact on the outcome of wound management (i.e., infection and wound dehiscence): age, gender, body mass index (BMI), dorsal fat, estimated blood loss during the surgical procedure, length of surgery, length of hospital stay, highest peri-operative glucose, medical comorbidities, and history of infection.

Inclusion Criteria:

• >/= 18 years of age
• >/= 3 level instrumented thoracic, lumbar, or thoracolumbar spinal fusion

Exclusion Criteria:

• < 18 years of age
• < 3 level instrumented thoracic, lumbar, or thoracolumbar spinal fusion
• Spinal infection at time of surgery
• History of immunosuppression or chronic systemic infection
• Pregnancy
• Inability to provide informed consent