Study results demonstrate 74% reduction in surgical site infections with use of PICO™ Single use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy system

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE/ME NewsWire)-- Smith & Nephew (LSE:SN)(NYSE:SNN), the global medical technology business, proudly supports results of an independent, randomised clinical trial¹ concluding that, in the patients studied, the use of the PICO Single Use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) system significantly reduced the rate of surgical site infections (SSI) by 74%, compared to standard care in patients undergoing major abdominal incisions.

The randomized, controlled, open-label trial of 50 patients investigated the role of PICO Single Use NPWT used prophylactically in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Thirty days after operations, the incidence rates of SSI significantly reduced by 74% (8.3% in treatment group vs. 32% in control group). Patients’ length of stay also reduced by approximately eight days (6.1 vs. 14.7 days). The treatment group included the use of the PICO Single Use NPWT system.

The PICO Single Use NPWT system is indicated for patients at risk of poor healing as it can help to improve the speed, strength and quality of incisional wound closure, and may minimise the failures of healing that may lead to infection and/or dehiscence². The PICO system is suitable for use in both a hospital and community setting and approved for a number of indications, including surgically closed incision sites.

“This study underscores the importance of PICO Single Use NPWT in treating patients who have undergone a laparotomy (open abdominal surgery),” said Colin Peirce, Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon, University Hospital Limerick, Ireland. “As surgeons, we are always looking for effective and cost efficient ways to treat patients, and this study demonstrates that PICO Single Use NPWT can significantly reduce both the incidence of surgical site infection and the length of stay, resulting in a potential reduction in healthcare costs,” concludes Colin Pierce.

Up to 60% of all SSIs are preventable but they continue to be a large burden on the healthcare system³. With approximately 500,000 SSIs per year in the US and 8,000 connected annual deaths, the cost of SSIs are in excess of $7 billion and over £758 million per year in the UK³.

“This study is the latest addition of research that reinforces the importance of PICO Single Use NPWT and the significant impact it has on reducing SSIs, healthcare costs and ultimately improving the patient’s quality of life,” said Andy Weymann, Chief Medical Officer in Smith & Nephew. “It follows the recent release of global guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommending the use of NPWT prophylactically,” added Andy Weymann.

The PICO Single Use NPWT system is being investigated in a number of clinical trials worldwide. For more information about the clinical trials, please visit: www.clinicaltrials.gov.