Approximately 19% of morbidity in peripheral vascular surgery is attributable to wound complications, which can result in delayed healing, and also arterial or graft infection leading to limb loss and even mortality in extreme cases.

To determine whether groin wound complications were reduced following the routine introduction of PICO negative pressure wound therapy dressings in patients who underwent peripheral vascular surgery.

Patients who underwent peripheral vascular surgery from 2011 to 2016 were identified and divided into PICO and non-PICO groups. Patient, procedure and wound characteristics were tabulated and analysed. Patients were followed-up for at least six weeks postoperatively. Wound complication rates, infection confirmed by microbiology, and requirement for re-admission due to wound complications were noted. Basic cost analysis was performed.

In total, 151 patients were analysed (N = 73 PICO, N = 78 non-PICO). No difference in age (P = 0.862), body mass index (P = 0.673), diabetes (P = 0.339), pre-operative albumin (P = 0.196), use of drain (P = 0.343) and history of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (P = 0.281) was observed between groups. The PICO group contained more smokers than the non-PICO group (45% vs 29%, P = 0.034). Wound complications were seen in 8% (N = 6) of the PICO group and 19% (N = 15) of the non-PICO group (P = 0.042). No significant difference in infection was found between the two groups (3% vs 6%, P = 0.249), but fewer seromas were observed when PICO dressings were used (1.4% vs 7.7%, P = 0.069). Haematoma (2.7% vs 3.8%, P = 0.531) and dehiscence rates (1.4% vs 1.3%, P = 0.735) were similar between the two groups.

Routine use of PICO dressings is associated with a reduction in wound complication rates following peripheral vascular surgery, and is cost-effective.