Incisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Is Protective Against Postoperative Cardiothoracic Wound Infection.

Background: Sternal wound infections are a rare but life-threatening complication of cardiothoracic surgery. Prior literature has supported the use of negative pressure wound therapy to decrease sternal wound infections and promote healing. This study sought to determine whether closed incision negative pressure therapy reduced wound infection and improved outcomes in cardiothoracic surgery.