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Review Article
Online Published: 28 Oct 2026
 
RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1182-1186

doi: 10.5455/rmj.20260101092820


The efficacy of negative-pressure wound therapy in reducing surgical site infections compared to standard dressings: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis

Ashfaq Ahmad Javed, Muhammad Rafiq Zafar, Shazia Jehan, Bisma Mukhtar, Muhammad Omar Mukhtar.


Abstract
Objective: To analyze the effects of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and compare them with the effects of conventional surgical dressings in reducing surgical site infections (SSIs).
Methodology: A systematic review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines was performed. PubMed was used to search randomized controlled trials in English evaluating NPWT against standard surgical dressings (SSD) in the prevention of SSI. Cochrane RoB 2 was used for risk-of-bias assessment. Pooled ORs with 95% CIs were calculated using a random-effects model, with subgroup analysis done based on surgery type.
Results: From 411 citations screened, 12 RCTs comprising 4,820 patients (2,443 NPWT; 2,377 SSD) were selected. Pooled analysis showed a statistically significant reduction in SSIs with NPWT (OR=0.71, 95% CI: 0.53-0.96; p=0.03; I²=36%). Subgroup analyses showed no significant difference in trauma/orthopedic (OR=0.77, 95% CI: 0.48-1.23) or obstetric populations (OR=0.99, 95% CI: 0.62-1.58).
Conclusion: NPWT may reduce the risk of SSIs compared with SSD, but its benefits seem to differ across surgical specialties.

Key words: Negative pressure wound therapy, NPWT, surgical site infection, SSI, incisional wound care.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Javed AA, Zafar MR, Jehan S, Mukhtar B, Mukhtar MO. The efficacy of negative-pressure wound therapy in reducing surgical site infections compared to standard dressings: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis. RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1182-1186.

doi:10.5455/rmj.20260101092820

Web Style

Javed AA, Zafar MR, Jehan S, Mukhtar B, Mukhtar MO. The efficacy of negative-pressure wound therapy in reducing surgical site infections compared to standard dressings: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=305216 [Access: November 11, 2026].

doi:10.5455/rmj.20260101092820

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Javed AA, Zafar MR, Jehan S, Mukhtar B, Mukhtar MO. The efficacy of negative-pressure wound therapy in reducing surgical site infections compared to standard dressings: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis. RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1182-1186.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260101092820

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Javed AA, Zafar MR, Jehan S, Mukhtar B, Mukhtar MO. The efficacy of negative-pressure wound therapy in reducing surgical site infections compared to standard dressings: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis. RMJ. (2026), [cited November 11, 2026]; 51(4): 1182-1186.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260101092820

Harvard Style

Javed, A. A., Zafar, . M. R., Jehan, . S., Mukhtar, . B. & Mukhtar, . M. O. (2026) The efficacy of negative-pressure wound therapy in reducing surgical site infections compared to standard dressings: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis. RMJ, 51 (4), 1182-1186.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260101092820

Turabian Style

Javed, Ashfaq Ahmad, Muhammad Rafiq Zafar, Shazia Jehan, Bisma Mukhtar, and Muhammad Omar Mukhtar. 2026. The efficacy of negative-pressure wound therapy in reducing surgical site infections compared to standard dressings: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (4), 1182-1186.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260101092820

Chicago Style

Javed, Ashfaq Ahmad, Muhammad Rafiq Zafar, Shazia Jehan, Bisma Mukhtar, and Muhammad Omar Mukhtar. "The efficacy of negative-pressure wound therapy in reducing surgical site infections compared to standard dressings: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis." Rawal Medical Journal 51 (2026), 1182-1186.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260101092820

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Javed, Ashfaq Ahmad, Muhammad Rafiq Zafar, Shazia Jehan, Bisma Mukhtar, and Muhammad Omar Mukhtar. "The efficacy of negative-pressure wound therapy in reducing surgical site infections compared to standard dressings: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis." Rawal Medical Journal 51.4 (2026), 1182-1186. Print.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260101092820

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Javed, A. A., Zafar, . M. R., Jehan, . S., Mukhtar, . B. & Mukhtar, . M. O. (2026) The efficacy of negative-pressure wound therapy in reducing surgical site infections compared to standard dressings: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (4), 1182-1186.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260101092820

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