P-187NEGATIVE PRESSURE WOUND THERAPY IN A POTENTIALLY INFECTED WOUND AFTER EMPYEMA SURGERY

Abstract

Objectives: Thoracotomy wounds after empyema surgery inherently have their complications. Localized infections, wound dehiscence, and excessive wound leakage can be devastating to the patient with a prolonged recovery, but it is also costly to the hospital with an increased length of stay, extra workload, and dressing changes. The single-use PICO negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) dressing has revolutionized the management of various acute, chronic, and high output wounds. Methods: In a prospective, randomized, comparative study, 20 patients with a Light 5-7 empyema were operated on from October to December 2014. Ten patients wounds were considered suitable for PICO application. Ten patients were treated with the traditional wound care. The follow-up after surgery was 10 days. The wound complications risk were considered: diabetes, nutritional status, steroids therapy, prolonged surgery >2 h. Results: There were 15 males, 5 females. Mean age was 47 years. In the PICO group 90% presented at least 1 risk factor, 80% in the conventional group. In the PICO group 50% presented with any complication compared to only 10% patients in the conventional group, relative risk value 5, IC 95% with no statistical significancy. The more common complications in the PICOs group were seroma 30%, wound abscess 20% and wound dehiscence 10%. In the conventional group the 20% had wound dehiscence. The length of hospital stay was similar in both groups. Conclusions: The application of a disposable NPWT in the potentially infected wounds after empyema surgery does not offer any benefit.