Prevena Incision Management System may help decrease incidence of groin SSIs

Kinetic Concepts, Inc. announced today that evidence presented at the Society for Vascular Surgery Conference in Washington, D.C. on June 8, 2012 suggests the Prevena™ Incision Management System, when combined with standard perioperative infection prevention and meticulous surgical technique, may help decrease the incidence of groin surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients undergoing vascular procedures. Some studies report that SSIs of the groin can cost hospitals more than $20,000 per infection to treat and can have an adverse impact on patient quality of life.    

"It goes without saying that prevention of surgical site infections of the groin after vascular procedures is much more cost effective than intervention," said Tim Matatov, MD, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. "The statistically significant reduction in infection rates found in this study is very encouraging."

The retrospective study conducted by the LSU Division of Vascular Surgery involved 90 consecutive patients (115 groin incisions) who underwent femoral cut down for vascular procedures. The patient population was divided into a "Prevena group" and a "non-Prevena group." Incisions in the non-Prevena group were managed using either an absorbent dressing or skin adhesive. Results from the study demonstrated a statistically significant difference>

"Results from this clinical study demonstrate a significant patient benefit in using Prevena™ Therapy on groin incisions," said Ron Silverman, MD, chief medical officer, KCI. "It adds to the growing body of evidence that supports the use of Prevena™ Therapy over clean closed surgical incisions in patients that are considered at risk for a wound complication."

The Prevena™ Incision Management System is intended to manage closed incisions that continue to drain following sutured or stapled closure. The System has been available to Acute Care Facilities since June 2010 and is an example of KCI's continuing effort to change the practice of medicine with solutions that help speed healing, reduce complications and improve the lives of patients.

"Prevena™ is truly transforming how surgical incisions are healed, thereby expanding our surgical solution platform," said Joe Woody, president & CEO, KCI. "This highlights the opportunity to expand our full suite of negative pressure wound therapy products into different or adjacent procedures that serve as a key area for growth, providing substantial clinical and economic benefit to our customers and patients."