Smith & Nephew announces findings from study of sNPWT devices

Smith+Nephew announces findings from a newly published comparative study of single-use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy devices in Caesarean section recovery has identified significant benefits for postpartum use of Smith+Nephew’s PICO sNPWT technology. Analyzing real-world data from over 10,000 C-section patients treated at different pressure levels, the study published in WOUNDS reveals that PICO sNPWT contributes to a significant reduction in surgical site complications, including a reduction in the incidence of surgical site infections, wound dehiscence and seroma, and overall costs, compared to another sNPWT device. A complementary survey of new mothers who have undergone C-sections highlighted the impact of SSCs on both mother and baby: Mothers with complications reported requiring hospital readmissions; Are 5 times more likely to describe their recovery as traumatic; Over half reported feeling depressed than those that reported no complications; Are 5.4 times more likely to be unable to breastfeed; Two in three mothers reported that their overall c-section recovery impacted their ability to bond with their baby. Dr. Tia Welsh, M.D. Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Valley Medical Group and co-author of the study added, “Postpartum is already a very vulnerable period for mothers, even without complications. SSCs add physical pain, prolonged recoveries, emotional distress, and disrupt critical early bonding with newborns. These interruptions carry emotional and practical burdens, increasing the risks of postpartum depression, anxiety, and trauma – costs that can’t be captured in dollars alone.” Real-world data shows the clinical and economic benefits of using PICO sNPWT in patients undergoing C-section procedures. The study used real-world evidence from the Premier PINC AI Healthcare Database to analyze outcomes from a geographically diverse mix of community hospitals, teaching hospitals and healthcare systems across the US. Notable findings include significant reductions with PICO sNPWT, compared to other sNPWT devices in the incidence of: Overall SSIs; Superficial SSIs; Wound dehiscence; Seroma formation. PICO sNPWT is proven to reduce the odds of surgical site infections, which could facilitate early mother and baby bonding and positively impacts on the patient’s emotional wellbeing. Beyond clinical and patient benefits, the study highlighted substantial cost savings associated with PICO sNPWT, estimating a reduction of US $728,220 per 1,000 patients and 3.8% lower mean index admission costs compared to other sNPWT devices.