(CS-039) Evaluation of a novel incisional NPWT system and innovative dressing utilizing a light switchable adhesive to minimize surgical site infections and medical adhesive-related skin injuries: a case series

Jennifer Goldenburg, BSN, RN, CWOCN – Director of Wound Care-Clinical Sales Specialist, Strategic Sales, DeRoyal Industries; Casey Carter, M.S. – Wound Care Product Manager, Marketing - Connected Systems and Advanced Therapies, DeRoyal Industries; Ethan Valentine, B.S. – Systems Engineering Manager, Engineering, DeRoyal Industries; Dhanvin Desai, M.S. – Director of Engineering, Engineering, DeRoyal Industries; Thomas Lawhorn, M.S. – Vice President, Marketing - Connected Systems and Advanced Therapies, DeRoyal Industries; Jonathan Cayce, Ph.D., M.S. – Clinical Research Scientist, Research and Development, DeRoyal Industries

Introduction:

Meta-analysis of incisional negative pressure wound therapy (iNPWT) demonstrates that the technology reduces the risk of surgical site infection in different surgical applications^1,2. However, acrylic adhesives and dressing designs currently utilized by market leaders for dressing integrity may cause peri-skin issues such as blistering or skin-stripping.

Recently, a novel disposable iNPWT became available for clinical use. The system applies pressure at -80 mmHg and is compatible with an incisional dressing that incorporates a light-switchable adhesive. This specialized adhesive allows the dressing to maintain integrity until exposed to a wavelength of light that causes the adhesive to gently release from the skin³. This reduction in peel force helps minimize the risk of medical adhesive-related skin injury and reduce patient pain. Further, the incisional dressing incorporates an absorbent, nonwoven material to help migrate moisture from the skin and toward the canister while still using an open-cell foam to uniformly apply pressure across the incision and an extended wound contact layer.  This design helps to minimize the risk of maceration and peri-skin issues. This case series aims to describe the first clinical experience and patient outcomes with the new iNPWT system.

Methods: The iNPWT system was applied to seven patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (n=4) or total hip arthroplasty (n=3) after consenting to participate in the evaluation. Incisions were closed with staples, and the iNPWT dressing was applied under sterile conditions.  Six out of seven patients completed a survey at the 7-day follow-up that evaluated ease of use and the presence of skin redness or blistering.

Results: All six participating patients reported no redness or blistering at dressing removal, and no other complications were observed. All participating patients indicated satisfaction with the therapy received by the evaluated system. 

Discussion: The case series presents the first clinical outcomes for a new iNPWT system and helps demonstrate the design benefits of the new iNPWT system utilizing the incisional dressing with light-switchable adhesive.  Patients reported minimal pain, no redness, or blistering at dressing removal, with no complications observed.