Study Summary

Eighteen randomized controlled trials including 4585 patients undergoing orthopaedic and trauma surgery were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis comparing negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) vs. conventional dressings. Pooled outcomes of interest included surgical site infections (SSIs), surgical wound dehiscence (SWD), length of hospital stay, and number of dressing changes. NPWT significantly reduced SSIs, SWD, and hospital stay, while also decreasing dressing changes. Subgroup analyses demonstrated consistent SSI reduction across both joint arthroplasty and trauma surgery populations. Overall, NPWT appeared to provide clinically meaningful reductions in postoperative wound complications in orthopaedic surgery, although the certainty of evidence was moderate and further multicentre trails are needed.