Application of the Prevena™ Incision Management System Following Complex Ventral Hernia Repairs with Abdominal Wall Reconstruction.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a drain on the healthcare economy. A recent development for the primary prevention of wound infections is the use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on closed wounds. The Prevena™ Incision Management System (KCI USA, Inc., San Antonio, TX) is a new NPWT designed for application on closed surgical incisions in order to prevent potential wound-related complications. We evaluated the use of this new technology on large abdominal incisions following complex ventral hernia repairs with abdominal wall reconstruction in patients with risk factors for developing wound complications and conducted a review of the current literature pertaining to the use of NPWT on closed incisions.