Incidence of wound dehiscence in patients undergoing laparoscopy or laparotomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Surgical wound dehiscence (SWD) is a serious complication-with a 40% estimated mortality rate-that occurs after surgical intervention. Since the implementation of advanced recovery protocols, the current global incidence of SWD is unknown. This systematic review and meta-analysis estimated the worldwide incidence of SWD and explored its associated factors in general surgical patients. Eligible full-text cross-sectional, cohort and observational studies in English, between 1 January 2010 to 23 April 2021, were retrieved from MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. Data extraction and quality appraisal were undertaken independently by three reviewers. Random effects meta-analytic models were used in the presence of substantial inconsistency. Subgroup, meta-regression and sensitivity analyses were used to explore inconsistency. Publication bias was assessed using Hunter's plots and Egger's regression test. Of 2862 publications retrieved, 27 studies were included in the final analyses. Pooled data from 741,118 patients across 24 studies were meta-analysed. The 30-day cumulative incidence of SWD was 1% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1-1%). SWD incidence was highest in hepatobiliary surgery, at 3% (95% CI: 0-8%). Multivariable meta-regression showed SWD was significantly associated with duration of operation and reoperation (F=7.93 (2-10); p=0.009), explaining 58.2% of the variance. Most studies were retrospective, predated the agreed global definition for SWD and measured as a secondary outcome; thus, our results likely underestimate the scope of the problem. Wider uptake of the global definition will inform the SWD surveillance and improve the accuracy of reporting.

Clinical prediction models and risk tools for early detection of patients at risk of surgical site infection and surgical wound dehiscence: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: Despite advances in surgical techniques, intraoperative practice and a plethora of advanced wound therapies, surgical wound complications (SWCs), such as surgical site infection (SSI) and surgical wound dehiscence (SWD), continue to pose a considerable burden to the patient and healthcare setting. Predicting those patients at risk of a SWC may give patients and healthcare providers the opportunity to implement a tailored prevention plan or potentially ameliorate known risk factors to improve patient postoperative outcomes. METHOD: A scoping review of the literature for studies which reported predictive power and internal/external validity of risk tools for clinical use in predicting patients at risk of SWCs after surgery was conducted. An electronic search of three databases and two registries was carried out with date restrictions. The search terms included 'prediction surgical site infection' and 'prediction surgical wound dehiscence'. RESULTS: A total of 73 records were identified from the database search, of which six studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these, the majority of validated risk tools were predominantly within the cardiothoracic domain, and targeted morbidity and mortality outcomes. There were four risk tools specifically targeting SWCs following surgery. CONCLUSION: The findings of this review have highlighted an absence of well-developed risk tools specifically for SSI and/or SWD in most surgical populations. This review suggests that further research is required for the development and clinical implementation of rigorously validated and fit-for-purpose risk tools for predicting patients at risk of SWCs following surgery. The ability to predict such patients enables the implementation of preventive strategies, such as the use of prophylactic antibiotics, delayed timing of surgery, or advanced wound therapies following a procedure.

A non-randomised pragmatic trial for the early detection and prevention of surgical wound complications using an advanced hydropolymer wound dressing and smartphone technology: The EDISON trial protocol.

Total hip or knee arthroplasty is a highly effective intervention for treating the symptoms of degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis (OA), often an unwelcome consequence of obesity. A safe and common surgical procedure, hip and knee arthroplasty procedures are not immune to the occurrence of postoperative complications such as surgical site infection (SSI) or surgical wound dehiscence (SWD). While published rates of SSI following hip or knee arthroplasty are low, 1% to 2% in some cases, it is the resulting wound complication and its clinical management and the impact on patient well-being and return to daily life for the 1% to 2% that is of concern. Postoperative complications such as SSI are a major cost driver to the health care system following arthroplasty and often result in extended lengths of stay, readmission for further surgery, primary and community nursing visits, and are a costly burden to health care settings. Early identification of a wound complication through post-discharge surveillance using a fully transparent dressing and smartphone technology and patient education may ameliorate contributing factors or reduce the likelihood of a complication occurring in the first instance. This clinical trial is a non-randomised pragmatic convenience sample carried out in 200 participants of both sexes receiving either a TKA or THA. There will be equal allocation to two groups (100 hips and 100 knees), with 50 in each allocation receiving the interventional dressing and 50 as control. The dressing will be applied prior to discharge and participants will be provided with education on postoperative wound care, when to contact home care nursing for a potential wound problem, and use of their smartphone to capture and send images of their incision site to the study nurses. Participants will also be followed up by home care nursing services at day 14 for suture removal and wound assessment. Participants will complete a patient-reported outcomes survey on day 14 and followed up on day 30 after surgery for wound assessment. The results of this trial may provide a novel pathway using a fully transparent dressing and digital technologies for the prevention of acute readmissions because of wound complications through early detection and intervention.

Bid from the International Surgical Wound Complications Advisory Panel.

The International Surgical Wound Complications Advisory Panel sets out its bid for the WUWHS 2026 Congress to be held in Perth, Western Australia.

An advanced transparent hydropolymer wound dressing for undisturbed post-op management of surgical wounds following hip and knee replacement: A prospective observational series.

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are standardised surgical procedures for patients with complex comorbidities. The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol has shown reduced lengths of hospital stay and reduced postoperative complications. Currently, there is a paucity of recommendations in regards to dressing selection for postoperative wound care within the ERAS protocol. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of a transparent hydropolymer wound dressing in suit for 14 days in 20 orthopaedic patients following hip or knee arthroplasty under the ERAS protocol. The majority of participants (90%) had a wear time of 14 days without the need for dressing removal. Clinicians rated the dressing very easy to apply with very good visibility of the incision line (100%). All participants reported the dressing to be 'very comfortable' (95%, n = 19) or 'comfortable' (5%, n = 1). Overall, the transparent hydropolymer dressing provided sufficient incision site visibility, reducing the need for dressing changes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show that the use of a transparent hydropolymer dressing in situ for 14 days to allow undisturbed wound healing.

Uncovering the high prevalence of bacterial burden in surgical site wounds with point-of-care fluorescence imaging.

Detection of bacterial burden within or near surgical wounds is critical to reducing the occurrence of surgical site infection (SSI). A distinct lack of reliable methods to identify postoperative bioburden has forced reliance on clinical signs and symptoms of infection (CSS). As a result, infection management has been reactive, rather than proactive. Fluorescence imaging of bacterial burden (FL) is positioned to potentially flip that paradigm. This post hoc analysis evaluated 58 imaged and biopsied surgical site wounds from the multi-centre fluorescence imaging assessment and guidance clinical trial. Diagnostic accuracy measures of CSS and FL were evaluated. A reader study investigated the impact of advanced image interpretation experience on imaging sensitivity. Forty-four of fifty-eight surgical site wounds (75.8%) had bacterial loads >104  CFU/g (median = 3.11 × 105  CFU/g); however, only 3 of 44 were CSS positive (sensitivity of 6.8%). FL improved sensitivity of bacterial detection by 5.7-fold compared with CSS alone (P = .0005). Sensitivity improved by 11.3-fold over CSS among clinicians highly experienced with FL interpretation (P < .0001). Surgical sites that reach the stage of referral to a wound specialist frequently harbour asymptomatic high bacterial loads that delay healing and increase infection risk. Advanced imaging of pathological bacterial burden improves surgical site monitoring and may reduce the rate of SSIs.

Effectiveness of negative pressure wound therapy in the prevention of surgical wound complications in the cesarean section at-risk population: a parallel group randomised multicentre trial-the CYGNUS protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Caesarean delivery is steadily becoming one of the more common surgical procedures in Australia with over 100 000 caesarean sections performed each year. Over the last 10 years in Australia, the caesarean section rate has increased from 28% in 2003 to 33% in 2013. On the international stage, the Australian caesarean delivery rates are higher than the average for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Australia ranked as 8 out of 33 and is second to the USA. Postoperative surgical site infections (SSIs) and wound complications are the most common and costly event following a caesarean section. Globally, complication rates following a caesarean delivery vary from 4.9% to 9.8%. Complications such as infection and wound breakdown affect the postpartum mother's health and well-being, and contribute to healthcare costs for clinical management that often spans the acute, community and primary healthcare settings. Published level one studies using advanced wound dressings in the identified 'at-risk' population prior to surgery for prophylactic intervention are yet to be forthcoming. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A parallel group randomised control trial of 448 patients will be conducted across two metropolitan hospitals in Perth, Western Australia, which provide obstetric and midwifery services. We will recruit pregnant women in the last trimester, prior to their admission into the healthcare facility for delivery of their child. We will use a computer-generated block sequence to randomise the 448 participants to either the interventional (negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) dressing, n=224) or comparator arm (non-NPWT dressing, n=224). The primary outcome measure is the occurrence of surgical wound dehiscence (SSWD) or SSI. The Centres for Disease Control reporting definition of either superficial or deep infection at 30 days will be used as the outcome measure definition. SWD will be classified as per the World Union of Wound Healing Societies grading system (grade I-IV). We will assess recruitment rate, and adherence to intervention and follow-up. We will assess the potential effectiveness of NPWT in the prevention of postpartum surgical wound complications at three time points during the study; postoperative days 5, 14 and 30, after which the participant will be closed out of the trial. We will use statistical methods to determine efficacy, and risk stratification will be conducted to determine the SWD risk profile of the participant. Follow-up at day 30 will assess superficial and deep infection, and wound dehiscence (grade I-IV) and the core outcome data set for wound complications. This study will collect health-related quality of life (European Quality of Life 5-Dimensions 5-Level Scale), mortality and late complications such as further surgery with a cost analysis conducted. The primary analysis will be by intention-to-treat. This clinical trial protocol follows the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) and the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval was obtained through St John of God Health Care (HREC1409), Western Australia Department of Health King Edward Memorial Hospital (HREC3111). Study findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences. We used the SPIRIT checklist when writing our study protocol. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618002006224p).

The Perth Surgical Wound Dehiscence Risk Assessment Tool (PSWDRAT): development and prospective validation in the clinical setting.

OBJECTIVE: The worldwide volume of surgery today is considerable and postoperative wound healing plays a significant part in facilitating a patient's recovery and rehabilitation. While contemporary surgical procedures are relatively safe, complications such as surgical wound dehiscence (SWD) or breakdown of the incision site may occur despite advances in surgical techniques, infection control practices and wound care. SWD impacts on patient mortality and morbidity and significantly contributes to prolonged hospital stay. Preoperative identification of patients at risk of SWD may be valuable in reducing the risk of postoperative wound complications. METHOD: A three-phase study was undertaken to determine risk factors associated with SWD, develop a preoperative patient risk assessment tool and to prospectively validate the tool in a clinical setting. Phases 1 and 2 were retrospective case control studies. Phase 1 determined variables associated with SWD and these informed the development of a risk assessment tool. Univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were applied to identify predictors of surgical risk. Phase 2 used the receiver operator curve statistic to determine the predictive power of the tool. Phase 3 involved a prospective consecutive case series validation to test the inter-rater reliability and predictive power of the tool. RESULTS: In addition to those already identified in the literature, one independent risk predictor for SWD was identified: previous surgery in the same anatomical location (p<0.001, odds ratio [OR] 4). Multiple combined factors were integrated into the tool and included: age (p<0.019, OR 3), diabetes (p<0.624, OR 2), obesity (p<0.94, OR 1.4), smoking (p<0.387, OR 2), cardiovascular disease (p<0.381 OR 3) and peripheral arterial disease (p<0.501, OR 3). The predictive power of the tool yielded 71% in a combined data sample. CONCLUSION: Patients with previous surgery in the same anatomical location were four times more likely to incur a dehiscence. Identification of at-risk patients for complications postoperatively is integral to reducing SWD occurrence and improving health-related outcomes following surgery.

Surgical wound dehiscence: a conceptual framework for patient assessment.

This paper presents a conceptual framework which outlines the risk factors associated with surgical wound dehiscence (SWD) as identified in the literature. The purpose for the development of the conceptual framework was to derive an evidence-based, informed understanding of factors associated with SWD, in order to inform a programme of research on the aetiology and potential risk factors of SWD. Incorporated within the patient-centric conceptual framework are patient related comorbidities, intraoperative and postoperative risk factors related to SWD. These are categorised as either 'mechanical' or 'physiological mechanisms' posited to influence these relationships. The use of the conceptual model for assessment of patients has particular clinical relevance for identification of risk and the management of patients in the pre-, intra- and postoperative period.

A survey of practice and opinions on the use of topical antibiotics to prevent surgical site infection: more confusion than consensus.

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common causes of healthcare-associated infection. Although the use of topical antibiotics to prevent SSI is not recommended by current guidelines, published studies document conflicting results and conclusions. Objectives: The objectives of this survey were to: (i) determine the extent of the use of topical antibiotics to prevent SSI in clinical practice; and (ii) gather the opinions of healthcare professionals most likely to be involved in their use. Methods: A questionnaire was circulated to members of BSAC and the European Wound Management Association (EWMA). Results: The questionnaire received 160 responses from a variety of healthcare professionals around the world. Most respondents (70%) did not have guidelines for the use of topical antibiotics for the prevention of SSI in their institution; if present, local guidance was based on national guidelines (20/31, 65%). Most respondents did not use or recommend topical antibiotics to prevent SSI; of those that did, gentamicin collagen sponges were most commonly used (24/96 responses, 25%). Over half of the surgeons (18/33, 55%) who responded to the survey did not use topical antibiotics for the prevention of SSI but, when used, contaminated surgery (8/33, 24%) was the most commonly stated indication. Conclusions: There are diverse opinions and practices among healthcare professionals about the use of topical antibiotics for the prevention of SSI. This considerable, and possibly inappropriate, variation in clinical practice needs to be addressed as part of antibiotic stewardship.