NMF
  • Menu Canvas
    • NMF
      • Nikki Mitchell Foundation
      • Nikki Mitchell
        • Bridge of Wings Flight
        • Documentary
      • Financials and Board
      • Contact Us
    • Programs
      • Bridge of Wings
      • Hope Suite Hope
    • Pancreatic Cancer
      • Statistics & Risk Factors
      • Research & Detection
        • Seed Grant Awardees
    • Inspiration
      • Volunteers
      • Warriors
    • Events
      • Previous Event Photos
    • News
    • Donate
    • NMF
      • Nikki Mitchell Foundation
      • Financials and Board
      • Nikki Mitchell
      • Contact
    • Pancreatic Cancer
      • Statistics & Risk Factors
      • Research & Detection
    • Programs
      • Bridge of Wings
      • Hope Suite Hope
    • Inspiration
      • Warriors
      • Volunteers
    • Events
    • News
NMF
  • NMF
    • Nikki Mitchell Foundation
    • Nikki Mitchell
      • Bridge of Wings Flight
      • Documentary
    • Financials and Board
    • Contact Us
  • Programs
    • Bridge of Wings
    • Hope Suite Hope
  • Pancreatic Cancer
    • Statistics & Risk Factors
    • Research & Detection
      • Seed Grant Awardees
  • Inspiration
    • Volunteers
    • Warriors
  • Events
    • Previous Event Photos
  • News
  • Donate

More Patients to Receive Wound Vacs After Their Pancreatic Surgery

More Patients to Receive Wound Vacs After Their Pancreatic Surgery

Christa Bowles
September 10, 2019
Blog

The following summary comes from Javed et al. and was recently published in the Annals of Surgery, the preeminent surgical journal, in June 2019.

https://journals.lww.com/annalsofsurgery/Fulltext/2019/06000/Negative_Pressure_Wound_Therapy_for_Surgical_site.7.aspx

Despite a substantial decreased in the mortality associated with the Whipple procedure, postoperative complications, albeit non-life-threatening are frequently observed. Surgical site infections are a common complication, and in the immediate postoperative period add morbidity and in the long run can impact long-term outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer due to delays in receipt of systemic therapy after surgery. Simply put, a surgical site infection occurs when pathogens such as bacteria infect the incision site. In case of a surgical site infection, in the days following the surgery, the incision often becomes tender, swollen and red, and purulent discharge may be observed. Management of this complication can range from antibiotic administration to need for a reoperation, depending on its severity. Surgical site infections can prolong hospitalization, result in readmissions, and increase healthcare costs. Individuals considered “high risk” for surgical site infections are those who have either undergone preoperative stenting of the bile duct or received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, or both. In this population the rate of surgical site infections of over 30% has been reported. 

 

Given this knowledge, this study sought to evaluate the impact of negative pressure wound therapy (sometimes referred to as “wound vacs”) on the rate of this complication. The authors conducted a randomized controlled trial evaluating the benefit of using this device in high risk patients. Patients were randomly assigned to receive the device or a standard wound closure. The device consists of a foam dressing over the incision that is connected to vacuum suction via tubing and works by keeping the incision dry (less favorable for growth of pathogens). 

 

Over a one-year period, 123 high risk patients who underwent Whipple procedure were included in the study. Surgical site infection occurred in 9.7% (6/62) of patients who received the device and in 31.1% (19/61) of patients in the standard closure group (P = 0.003). The relative reduction in risk of developing surgical site infection was 68.8%. Furthermore, on cost analysis surgical site infections were found to independently increase the cost of hospitalization by approximately 23.8%.

The use of negative pressure wound therapy resulted in a significantly lower risk of SSIs. Incorporating this intervention in surgical practice can help reduce a complication that significantly increases postoperative morbidity and healthcare costs.

Take home points:

  1. Surgical site infections are common, especially in high risk patients following the Whipple procedure.
  2. Negative pressure wound therapy (or wound vacs) can lower the risk of surgical site infections in high risk patients by almost 70%.

 

 

 

 

 

Image- KCI Negative Pressure Wound Therapy dressing. Image credit: https://www.kci-medical.sg/SG-ENG/vactherapy

Tags: Cancer cancer treatment jamey johnson nikki mitchell pancreatic cancer pancreatic cancer research
Previous Story
Nikki Mitchell Foundation Premieres PSA at Traler Park Show
Next Story
NMF Friends Raise $1,000 with the “Aluminum Man” event

Related Articles

Your Dollars at Work

Nikki Mitchell Foundation is a relatively young non-profit. In the...

2021 Impact Report

2021 was full of challenges for everyone, but the Nikki...

Recent Posts

  • Music Leader Shannan Hatch Joins Nikki Mitchell Foundation Board Wednesday, 30, Mar
  • Your Dollars at Work Thursday, 27, Jan
  • 2021 Impact Report Monday, 24, Jan
  • 2021 Nikki Mitchell Foundation Seed Grant Winner Monday, 22, Nov
  • A Surviving Story Thursday, 17, Jun

Contact Us

1-615-982-6802
PO Box 68305 Nashville, TN 37206
[email protected]
EIN Tax ID: 46-3399632

Join Our Mailing List

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Nikki Mitchell Foundation, PO Box 68305, Nashville, TN, 37206, http://www.nikkimitchellfoundation.org. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Follow Us

Contact Us

1-615-982-6802
PO Box 68305 Nashville, TN 37206
[email protected]
EIN Tax ID: 46-3399632
Copyright ©2020 Nikki Mitchell Foundation. All Rights Reserved. Nikki Mitchell Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit.

Medical Disclaimer:
Information is solely intended as educational purpose only. It is not to be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice. We encourage all visitors to consult directly with their physician. Site visitors should not rely on any information contained for health needs. Instead, all questions should be discussed with professional medical doctors.
SearchPostsLogin
Wednesday, 30, Mar
Music Leader Shannan Hatch Joins Nikki Mitchell Foundation Board
Thursday, 27, Jan
Your Dollars at Work
Monday, 24, Jan
2021 Impact Report
Monday, 22, Nov
2021 Nikki Mitchell Foundation Seed Grant Winner
Thursday, 17, Jun
A Surviving Story
Monday, 24, May
Clinical Trials

Welcome back,