Closed Incision Disposable Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Immediate Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction

Experience and Comparison Between Closed Incision Disposable Negative Pressure Wound Therapy With Standard Care in Immediate Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction - Prospective, Randomized and Controlled Study

The study aimed to assess the impact of the use of closed incision negative pressure wound therapy (ciNPWT) after immediate breast reconstruction on the number of surgical-site complications, skin surface temperature, objective elastic and viscoelastic and subjective scar's quality to determine risk factors that could be considered as indications for prophylactic ciNPWT application.

Breast cancer excluding skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer after lung cancer among women. In recent years, the incidence rate of breast cancer has been rising by 0,3% annually. Screening tests are designed to diagnose breast cancer in possible early stadium of disease. Rapid diagnosis and efficacy of neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies influence on immediate breast reconstructions after skin (SSM) and nipple-sparing mastectomies (NSM). The prophylactic methods of reducing a higher wound healing complication rate after neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies are crucial.

The study aimed to assess the impact of the use of closed incision negative pressure wound therapy (ciNPWT) after immediate breast reconstruction on the number of surgical-site complications, skin surface temperature, objective elastic and viscoelastic and subjective scar's quality to determine risk factors that could be considered as indications for prophylactic ciNPWT application.

The analysis included data from anamnesis, details of performed surgical procedure, measurements of skin surface temperature with Skin-Thermometer® probe, measurements of skin elasticity with Cutometer® probe, and scar assessments according to POSAS v2.0 questionnaire for patient and observer.

Inclusion Criteria:

• >= 18 years of age
• indications for immediate breast reconstruction

Exclusion Criteria:

• pregnancy or lactation,
• use of steroids, use of immune modulators known to affect wound healing;
• tattoos in the area of the incision;
• breast skin conditions such as cutis laxa;