Postoperative Outcomes of Incisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Patients Undergoing Abdominoplasty, Horizontal Panniculectomy, or Harvest of TRAM or DIEP Flaps: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Abstract

Abdominoplasty, horizontal panniculectomy and TRAM/DIEP flaps can sometimes be associated to postoperative complications such as wound dehiscence, skin necrosis, seroma, hematoma, surgical site infection, and need for unplanned reoperation. The purpose of this study is to provide an estimate of the clinical effects that iNPWT has on those outcomes, based on the available literature. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. From these, 11 studies were comparative and suitable for meta-analysis. Results showed that the use of iNPWT is associated to a significant decrease in the rates of postoperative wound dehiscence and need for unplanned reoperation. There was no statistically significant difference in the rates of postoperative skin necrosis, seroma, hematoma, and surgical site infection.