Negative Pressure Therapy for Groin Wounds

The purpose of this study is to compare wound infection rates between negative pressure therapy (Prevena) and the traditional sterile dry dressing among patients undergoing vascular surgery involving groin incisions.

This is a prospective, investigator-initiated, post-market data collection study comparing wound infection rates among patients undergoing vascular surgery involving groin incisions. Patients will be randomized on the day of surgery to receive the traditional sterile dry dressing or Prevena. Patients with the traditional dressing will undergo dressing changes as per the standard protocol with the first dressing change at postoperative day 2 or 3, or at the discretion of the attending surgeon. The patients with Prevena dressing will have the dressing in place for 5 to 7 days postoperatively and removed before discharge, or at the first outpatient visit. The Primary Objective of this study is to see if using negative pressure therapy decreases the rate of infection. The Secondary Objectives will include multivariate analysis to understand which patients may have a compounded benefit from Prevena (e.g. smokers, diabetics, and obese patients). The Prevena System is an FDA approved bandage and will be used in this study for on-label purposes.

Subjects randomized to the Prevena dressing will have the dressing in place for 5 to 7 days postoperatively and removed before discharge, or at the first outpatient visit.

Subjects randomized to the traditional dressing will undergo dressing changes as per the standard protocol with the first dressing change at postoperative day 2 or 3, or at the discretion of the attending surgeon.

Prevena is a sterile silver dressing. On top of the silver dressing is an adhesive plastic, which is connected to a therapy unit through a short length suction tube.

Inclusion Criteria: Patients undergoing vascular surgery with a groin incision. Exclusion Criteria: Allergy to silver.