Reducing donor-site complications in DIEP flap breast reconstruction with closed incisional negative pressure therapy: A cost-benefit analysis.
Research article published in Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS (2022)
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps are considered the gold standard for autologous breast reconstruction but create large abdominal incisions that risk donor-site morbidity during harvest. Closed incision negative pressure therapy (ciNPT) is emerging as an effective alternative to standard postoperative dressings, but there is a paucity of data in DIEP flap donor sites. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case-control study investigating the use of ciNPT in DIEP flap donor sites at a single institution between March 2017 and September 2021. Patients who underwent microsurgical autologous breast reconstruction with DIEP flaps were included. Patients were divided into those with donor incision sites managed with ciNPT (n = 24) and those with conventional postoperative wound dressings (n = 20). We compared patient demographics, wound drainage volumes and postoperative outcomes between the two groups. A cost-benefit analysis was employed to compare the overall costs associated with each complication and differences in length of stay between the two groups. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in age, body mass index (BMI), comorbidity burden or smoking status between the two groups. Both groups had similar lengths of stay and wound drainage volumes with no readmissions or reoperations in either group. There was a statistically significant reduction in donor-site complications (p = 0.018), surgical site infections (p = 0.014) and seroma formation (p = 0.016) in those with ciNPT. Upon cost-benefit analysis, the ciNPT group had a mean reduction in cost-per-patient associated with postoperative complications of £420.77 (p = 0.031) and £446.47 (p = 0.049) when also accounting for postoperative length of stay CONCLUSION: ciNPT appears to be an effective alternative incision management system with the potential to improve complication rates and postoperative morbidity in DIEP flap donor sites. Our analysis demonstrates improved cost-benefit outweighing the increase in costs associated with ciNPT. We recommend a multicentre prospective trial with formal cost-utility analysis to strengthen these findings.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps are considered the gold standard for autologous breast reconstruction but create large abdominal incisions that risk donor-site morbidity during harvest. Closed incision negative pressure therapy (ciNPT) is emerging as an effective alternative to...
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
This retrospective case-control study of 44 patients investigated whether closed incisional negative pressure therapy (ciNPT) reduces donor-site complications in DIEP flap breast reconstruction compared to conventional dressings. The ciNPT group showed statistically significant reductions in donor-site complications, surgical site infections, and seroma formation, with a favorable cost-benefit analysis. This study has no defensible relevance to hirudotherapy or the leech secretome; it evaluates a wound dressing technology and does not involve leeches, leech-derived substances, or anticoagulation. Its focus on surgical wound management and cost-effectiveness is entirely outside ASH's domain of interest.
Citación
Reducing donor-site complications in DIEP flap breast reconstruction with closed incisional negative pressure therapy: A cost-benefit analysis.
Munro et al. · Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS, 2022
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 28, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026