Do suction assisted negative pressure dressings reduce the incidence of surgical site infections after abdominal surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

The aim of this project is to assess a new kind of dressing, to see whether it reduces the rate of wound infections after abdominal surgery. The dressing is attached to a small, portable device that creates suction or negative pressure on the wound, to help suck away any fluid that leaks from the wound. These dressings have been assessed as being safe, and are already in use in the hospital. However, there is no conclusive evidence that they provide a benefit to patients by reducing wound infections. We will hopefully answer that question, and help to provide better outcomes to future patients undergoing abdominal surgery. This study is in part funded by the company that makes the dressing used. However, they do not provide any direct payment to the investigators, and do not have any role in collecting information or deciding what the results of the study are. This research is being conducted by doctors and nurses working in Dandenong Hospital, under the auspices of the Monash School of Medicine.