ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: While negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been used for decades, there is a paucity of data regarding the appropriate length of time between dressing changes. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized control trial examining time to wound closure in open midline laparotomy wounds treated with NPWT. The control group received the standard thrice weekly sponge changes (thrice) and the treatment group received once weekly sponge changes (once). RESULTS: 44 patients met study criteria over a 3-year period. There was no difference in NPWT duration between the two groups (37.1 vs 34.7 days, pâ¯=â¯0.7324), even after adjusting for potential confounders (pâ¯=â¯0.8091). No differences were found in initial wound size or reduction. The wound complication profile was similar for both groups. CONCLUSION: There is no difference in time to wound closure or complications with NPWT dressing changes once a week compared to the standard three times a week.
