1091 Comparing the Incidence of Superficial Surgical Site Infections Following Emergency Laparotomies with the Use of Negative Pressure Wound Dressings Versus Standard Wound Dressings

Abstract Aim This study aims to investigate whether use of negative pressure wound dressings (NPWD) in emergency laparotomies has any effect on the incidence of superficial Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) compared to Standard Wound Dressings (SWD). Method Patients undergoing emergency laparotomies at one NHS trust in a 6-month period (01/01/2023-30/06/2023) were retrospectively identified using the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit database. Clinical documentation was then assessed for documented evidence of SSIs and type of dressing used. This study used the UK health security agency’s definition of superficial SSI, therefore recorded evidence of i) purulent discharge ii) positive wound culture iii) symptoms and signs (pain, swelling, erythema, heat) iv) incision was deliberately opened or had clips removed to manage the infection v) documented clinical diagnosis of SSI. Exclusion criteria: repeat laparotomies in the same admission, deceased within 30-days. Categorical unpaired measures were compared using the Chi-squared test (5% alpha level). Results 60 patients were identified as having emergency laparotomies in the 6-month period, of which 29 had NPWD and 31 SWD. There was no statistically significantly difference between NSWD and standard wound dressings in :pus discharge (6 versusvs. 11, p=0.20)positive wound culture (4 vs. 11, p= 0.09)2 pain/swelling/erythema/dehiscence (8 vs. 14, p=0.16)clip removal to treat SSI (8 vs. 12, p=0.36)clinical diagnosis of SSI.(7 vs. 12, p=0.23). Conclusions There was no statistically significant difference in superficial SSIs between NPWD compared to SWD, in emergency laparotomies performed in one NHS trust measured over a 6-month period.