The purpose of this study is to find differences in rates of surgical site infections following emergency laparotomy with the use of two different incisional negative pressure wound therapy (iNPWT)devices.

A multi-arm, randomized, single institution trial was conducted. All patients proposed for emergency laparotomy for different etiologies where considered eligible. Patients were enrolled following signature of informed consent.

Excluded from this group were patients with recent previous interventions (laparotomy or minimally invasive surgery), patients not wishing a iNPWT device or patients with specific contraindications to any device.

Later where excluded from the study patients on laparostomy, Intraoperative diagnosis of irreversible disease (Ex: Extensive mesenteric ischemia).

Following enrollment patients were randomized to 3 groups - control group with standard dressings; PICO group with Pico® (Smith & Nephew Inc, Andover, MA) dressing and Prevena group using Prevena® (KCI USA, Inc., San Antonio, TX) dressing.

Following admission the patients were monitored for surgical site occurrences and other complications by the investigation team until discharge. Subsequent 2 week post-operative evaluation (if patient had been discharged) was carried out in outpatient.

A final consultation was made 30 days postoperatively.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All patients proposed for emergency laparotomy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contra-indication for iNPWT
• Irreversible disease diagnosis with expected short term mortality
• Need for a staged procedure