Treating Emergency Laparotomy Incisions With Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is a method of treating wounds using suction. The dressing is airtight, and the pump creates subatmospheric pressure, clearing the wound of exudate and fluids. The study aims to investigate the effect of Negative pressure wound therapy dressings on the rate of wound complications (SSI, WD, seroma) after emergency laparotomy. Patients will be randomised to regular dressings and investigational device 1:1. No other aspect of the care will be changed. Randomisation is planned at the time of skin closure. Patients will be followed-up after 7, 30 and 365 days with two initial visits, surveys and offered a CT scan to investigate incisional hernia formation. The hypothesis is that NPWT dressings decrease the rate of wound complications. The secondary outcome is reduction of SSI, WD, seroma, shorter length of stay, peri-wound blistering, patient satisfaction.