Preventive negative pressure wound therapy after Rottweiler surgery

Abstract

This case report describes a combination of negative pressure-wound-therapy (NPWT) and NPWT assisted incision management after resection of an abscess located at the right thoracic wall in a Rottweiler. The patient had a history of severe incisional complications after surgical interventions performed in the past, including repeated episodes of wound dehiscence, major skin necrosis and infection with and without a multiresistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus and several episodes of open wound management with healing rates between months and a year. Wound closure after resection of the mass was performed as a staged procedure. After two days of open NPWT the wound was primarily closed and a preventive incisional vacuum assisted therapy (CI-NPWT) was started for 7 days. The patient was discharged during therapy with the portable device in place. The Unit was removed at day 7 post wound closure, suture removal followed at day 10. Wound healing was uneventful and no major complications occurred at a follow up time of 8 months. This is the first description of closed incisional negative pressure wound therapy in the dog.