title: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for spinal wounds: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The management of postoperative spinal wound complication remains a challenge, with surgical site infection (SSI) incidence rates ranging from 0.4% to 20% after spinal surgery. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been highlighted as an intervention that may stimulate healing and prevent SSI. However, the wound healing mechanism by NPWT and its effectiveness in spinal wounds still remain unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To systematically search, critically appraise, and summarize randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs assessing the effectiveness of NPWT in patients with a spinal wound.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review based on search strategies recommended by the Cochrane Back and Wounds Review Groups was undertaken using Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases. Any publications between 1950 and 2011 were included. Funding to undertake the review was received from the University of Huddersfield Collaborative Venture Fund ($4,820) and KCI Medical ($4,820).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten retrospective studies and four case studies of patients with spinal wound complication were included in this systematic review. No RCTs were found. Only one study described more than 50 patients. Generally, a pressure of -125 mm Hg was used in adults. Duration of NPWT in situ ranged from 3 to 186 days. Wound healing was assessed every 2 to 3 days and generally completed between 7 days and 16 months. Negative pressure wound therapy is contraindicated in the presence of active cerebrospinal fluid leak, metastatic or neoplastic disease in the wound or in patients with an allergy to the NPWT dressing and in those with a bleeding diathesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Published reports are limited to small retrospective and case studies, with no reports of NPWT being used as a prophylactic treatment. Larger prospective RCTs of NPWT are needed to support the current evidence that it is effective in treating spinal wound complications. In addition, future studies should investigate its use as a prophylactic treatment to prevent infection and report data relating to safety and health economics.
authors: School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, Yorkshire HD1 3DH, United Kingdom. Electronic address: k.j.ousey@hud.ac.uk.
authors: Karen J
authors: KJ
authors: Ousey
authors: Ross A
authors: RA
authors: Atkinson
authors: J Bradley
authors: JB
authors: Williamson
authors: Steve
authors: S
authors: Lui
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013131:Spine / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*
keywords: Infection; Negative pressure wound therapy; Spine; Systematic review; Wound