Objectives: To report our experience of preemptive suture line negative pressure therapy (NPT) for high-risk surgical incision wounds in vascular surgery.Methods: Between July 2016 and December 2018, prospectively collected data were analyzed. Outcomes of Suture line NPT were analyzed where NPT was applied in clean noncontaminated closed incision wounds within 1 week of the postoperative period. Open wounds and those with suspected infective pathology were excluded.Results: Total 56 suture line NPT were applied in 47 patients. Incision sites included 23 groin wounds for femoral artery exposure, 16 leg fasciotomy wounds, 9 suture line wounds for basilic vein transposition, and 8 miscellaneous wounds. Reason for NPT were as follows: suture line tension and edema (n ¼ 25), incision in a redo surgical area (n ¼ 13), excessive subcutaneous fat (n ¼ 9), and wound seroma or hematoma (n ¼ 9). Mean duration of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) was 7 days (range, 5-17 days). NPT was managed as an outpatient basis in 43 of the 47 patients. Complete healing (wound left open with no further dressing) was achieved in 38 wounds; 17 wounds partially healed and needed regular dressings. Two wounds developed infection and VAC was discontinued.Conclusions: Preemptive Suture line NPT could be a useful adjunct in healing high-risk surgical wounds when applied before wound complications develop. Longer duration of application (>7 days) appear safe if monitored clinically. Further studies are needed to standardize the use of suture line NPT.
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