title: Vertically drained closed incision NPWT. A novel method for managing surgical incisions: a case series.
abstract: Topical negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is being used with increasing frequency to treat closed surgical incisions that are at high risk for wound complications. Known benefits of topical NPWT include improved perfusion, physical wound support and isolation. This case series report of four colon operations introduces a method to manage closed surgical incisions that is designed to potentiate the effects of topical NPWT. Channel drains are placed vertically through a closed incision and in contact with the foam sponge of a NPWT dressing. The drains transmit negative pressure into the wound in order to enhance fluid removal, reduce dead space and improve tissue apposition for primary healing.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Dr Leiboff received no funding for this study. Dr Leiboff is President of Tools for Surgery, L.L.C.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of Surgery; Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Health Sciences Center, T18-046B, Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8191.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Leiboff
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing
keywords: incisional NPWT; suction drain; surgical wound infection; vacuum-assisted closure; vertically drained closed incision negative pressure wound therapy; wound dressing