Effect of negative pressure wound therapy applied in the emergency center on postoperative infection rates in patients with orthopedic open wounds

Semih Eriten; Vedat İzci; Serdar Menekşe

doi:10.18621/eurj.1679701

Effect of negative pressure wound therapy applied in the emergency center on postoperative infection rates in patients with orthopedic open wounds

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) applied in the emergency department on postoperative infection rates in patients with orthopedic open injuries.

Methods: This prospective randomized controlled study included 80 patients who presented with orthopedic open injuries. Patients were divided into two groups: NPWT group (n=40) and control group receiving standard wound care (n=40). An average pressure of 125±25 mmHg was applied in the NPWT group. Demographic characteristics, wound characteristics, infection rates, length of hospital stay, and treatment outcomes were evaluated.

Results: The infection rate in the NPWT group (7.5%) was significantly lower compared to the control group (25.0%) (P=0.034). The NPWT group showed significantly lower numbers of surgical debridement (1.3±0.6 vs 2.1±0.8, P=0.008), shorter antibiotic use duration (10±3 vs 14±4 days, P=0.003), and shorter hospital stay (8±2 vs 14±3 days, P<0.001). Primary closure rate was significantly higher in the NPWT group (70%) compared to the control group (30%) (P=0.002).

Conclusions: NPWT applied in the emergency department significantly reduces postoperative infection rates, accelerates wound healing, and shortens hospital stay in orthopedic open injuries. These findings suggest that NPWT may have an important role in the early treatment protocol of open injuries.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Adana City Training and Reserach Hospital Scientific Research Ethics Committee (Decision No: 2025-12/447; date: 10.04.2025). All procedures were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments. Written informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Emergency Medicine

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Semih Eriten ^*
0000-0001-8516-372X
Türkiye

Vedat İzci
0009-0009-5731-4696
Türkiye

Serdar Menekşe
0000-0002-4121-8917
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

August 19, 2025

Publication Date

November 4, 2025

Submission Date

April 19, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 17, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 11 Number: 6

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18621/eurj.1679701

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA97AL67HJ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

AMA

1.Eriten S, İzci V, Menekşe S. Effect of negative pressure wound therapy applied in the emergency center on postoperative infection rates in patients with orthopedic open wounds. Eur Res J. 2025;11(6):1123-1131. doi:10.18621/eurj.1679701