Evaluating Advantages of Prevena After Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

The specific aim of this research project is to determine the effect of using the Prevena vacuum system on the rate of repeat surgical procedures and surgical site complications in patients having undergone a total knee or hip arthroplasty. It is believed that negative pressure wound therapy is effective in the promotion of healing of complicated, non-healing, and infected wounds in many settings. In light of this existing evidence, the investigators believe that applying negative pressure wound therapy to clean incisions, in the orthopedic setting, before infection or complication occur may prevent complications and lower overall cost of care for patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty. The investigators' primary hypothesis is that application of the Prevena vacuum system to a clean incision in the operating room for patients who have undergone a total knee arthroplasty or hip replacement surgery will reduce the occurrence of repeat surgeries when the system remains in place and functional for seven days following its application. Prevena is the ideal system for this patient population because it is best suited for non-draining wounds; hip and knee arthroplasties result most often in non-draining wounds, which evidence suggests are less likely to become infected and cause other complications. Secondary hypotheses to be tested in this study are that the application and use of the Prevena vacuum system in patients who have undergone a total knee arthroplasty or hip replacement surgery will reduce the occurrence of seromas, hematomas, and will also reduce the occurrence of surgical site infections when the system remains in place and functional for seven days after application. Additionally, the investigators wish to compare the level of pain experienced by patients who use the Prevena system after surgery in comparison to those whose incision sites are covered with traditional dressings. The investigators hypothesize that patients whose wounds are dressed with the Prevena system will experience less pain than patients whose wounds are dressed with traditional dressings, which may be quite bulky and carry the risk of tape trauma injury. Finally, the investigators hypothesize that because the Prevena system will prevent surgical site complications that may lead to repeat procedures, the cost of treating patients with Prevena will be lower than the total relative cost of treating the patients whose wounds are dressed with traditional dressings.