Novel Method of Surgical Incision Management in Patients Undergoing Colorectal Surgery

Abstract

We previously demonstrated that subcutaneous drain is effective for preventing incisional surgical site infection (SSI) in patients with thick subcutaneous fat in colorectal surgery. We have recently attempted a novel closure technique in colorectal surgery for the prevention of incisional SSI. In the current study, we described this novel method for prevention of incisional SSI and share our assessment of efficiency of this incision management in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. The procedure “wound dressing with temporary negative pressure” using Opsite Post-Op Visible and an Atom Multipurpose Tube, is a simple and easy method. Immediately after incisions were closed, Opsite Post-Op Visible dressing was applied over the incision site with an Atom Multipurpose catheter, and negative pressure was applied through the catheter. We analyzed the cases of 203 patients who underwent colorectal resection. In 60 cases, we performed this negative pressure system for prevention of SSI. We reviewed the clinical features of these cases treated by this novel method and found that the incisional SSI rate in patients who underwent colorectal resection was significantly reduced following the use of the new method. There were no complications in any of the cases due to DNP. This dressing with negative pressure (DNP) may lead to wound drainage and a reduction of dead space in a subcutaneous wound area. These findings indicate that the use of DNP is safe, easy, and effective for preventing incisional SSI in patients undergoing colorectal surgery.