Role of acute negative pressure wound therapy over primarily closed surgical incisions in acetabular fracture ORIF: A prospective randomized trial

Background Negative pressure wound therapy use over closed surgical incisions (iNPWT) has proven to be effective at reducing hematoma, wound drainage and infection in high-risk wounds. The purpose of this study was to determine if iNPWT decreased the risk of infection in patients undergoing open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) for acetabular fractures. Methods 71 patients who underwent operative intervention for an acetabular fracture between March 2008 and September 2012 consented and prospectively randomized to iNPWT or a standard postoperative (dry gauze) dressing. The primary endpoint was deep infection, i.e. necessitating surgical debridement. Patients were followed until fracture union. Results 33 patients were randomized to treatment with a standard gauze dressing and 33 patients were randomized to the iNPWT cohort. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with respect to patient demographics, clinical, or surgery characteristics. Overall, seven patients (10.6%) were diagnosed with infections; two patients (6.1%) in the placebo group and 5 (15.2%) in the treatment group. Conclusions In this randomized prospective trial, iNPWT did not decrease the incidence of deep infections when compared to gauze dressings in patients with acetabular fractures. Although not statistically significant, patients in the iNPWT cohort were 2.77 times more likely to develop a deep infection.