Journal Articles

A tool to assess the risk of surgical site complications and suitability for incisional negative pressure wound therapy

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A tool to assess the risk of surgical site complications and suitability for incisional negative pressure wound therapy

Joanna Peart
12 March 2019

This article describes a risk assessment tool for the use of incisional negative pressure wound therapy (INPWT). Delayed surgical wound healing poses a huge financial burden to the NHS, and can significantly delay patient recovery and rehabilitation. INPWT has been identified as an effective therapy for the prevention of surgical site complications and should, therefore, be considered for high-risk patients. This article describes several risk factors and comorbidities, such as diabetes, obesity, renal failure and peripheral vascular disease, which are known to increase a person’s risk of surgical site complications. The risk assessment tool, which is based on a review of these risk factors, may be used by clinicians as a simple way to assess a patient’s risk of surgical wound breakdown and suitability for INPWT.

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