Negative pressure wound therapy reduces deep infection rate in open tibial fractures

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on deep infection rate in open tibial fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. Data was collected from medical records and radiographs. SETTING: Two level-1 trauma centers. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Patients who sustained an open tibial fracture which underwent delayed soft tissue coverage between January 2002 and December 2007 were included. Exclusion criteria included open fractures receiving a combination of NPWT and conventional dressings, fractures which were treated with a primary amputation, and fractures associated with mortality. INTERVENTION: NPWT with reticulated open cell foam or conventional dressing..