iNPWT Fails to Reduce SSI in Vascular Surgery: BMI Drives Infection Risk

In a randomized clinical trial of 123 patients undergoing infrainguinal vascular surgery, the use of incisional negative pressure wound therapy (iNPWT) did not significantly lower surgical site infection (SSI) rates compared with standard gauze dressings (15% vs. 25%; P = 0.340). SSI incidence was strongly associated with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² (52% vs. 21%), highlighting patient-related risk factors over dressing choice.

Quality-of-life assessments further revealed a greater negative impact on everyday life in the iNPWT group, with no significant gain in overall outcomes. These data challenge the prophylactic routine use of iNPWT, supporting its consideration only in select high-risk subgroups. To read more; Click here Would you limit iNPWT to obese/high-risk patients or still use it broadly? ##Reference## Daryapeyma, A., Nilsson, O., Pettersson, J., Stackelberg, O., Torbjörnsson, E., &…