Negative pressure dressings after emergency midline laparotomy

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Adults undergoing emergency midline laparotomy with a primary skin closure and an incision longer than 10 cm are randomized 1:1 at skin closure to receive either a negative pressure wound therapy dressing or a standard postoperative dressing. No other aspects of perioperative care are changed, and patients are followed at 7, 30, and 365 days with two in-person visits, surveys, and an optional CT scan to check for incisional hernia. The primary outcome is the rate of wound complications (surgical site infection, wound dehiscence, seroma), with secondary outcomes including length of stay, peri-wound blistering, and patient satisfaction. The goal is to determine whether NPWT reduces early and late wound complications after emergency laparotomy.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* ≥18 years old
* Written informed consent
* \>10 cm midline incision with primary skin closure
* Emergency laparotomy

Exclusion Criteria:

* Not able to consent (e.g. dementia, impaired cognitive function, unconscious)
* Subjects not possible to follow up as assessed by the Investigator
* Allergy to dressing material
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding (females of childbearing potential)
* Previous enrolment in the current study
* Expected reoperation with 28 days of index laparotomy
* Emergency laparotomy within 3 months

Where it's running

• Linköping University Hospital
  Linköping, Sweden Recruiting
• Mora Hospital
  Mora, Sweden Recruiting
• Vrinnevi Hospital
  Norrköping, Sweden Recruiting
• Uppsala University Hospital
  Uppsala, Sweden Recruiting
• Västmanlands Hospital Västerås
  Västerås, Sweden Recruiting
• Mälar Hospital
  Eskilstuna, Sweden Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Erik Osterman, MD PhD
• Email: erik.osterman@akademiska.se
• Phone: +460186110000

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.