Prophylactic negative wound therapy in laparotomy wounds (PROPEL trial): randomized controlled trial

Background Superficial surgical site infections are a common post-operative complication. They also place a considerable financial burden on healthcare. The use of prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy has been advocated to reduce wound infection rates. However, there is debate around its routine use. The purpose of this trial is to determine if prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy reduces post-operative wound complications in patients undergoing laparotomy. Methods/design This multi-centre randomised controlled trial will compare standard surgical dressings (control) to two competing negative pressure wound therapy dressings (Prevena (TM) and PICO (TM)). All patients will be over 18 years, who are undergoing an emergency or elective laparotomy. It is intended to enrol a total of 271 patients for the trial. Discussion The PROPEL trial is a multi-centre randomised controlled trial of patients undergoing laparotomy. The comparison of standard treatment to two commercially available NPWT will help provide consensus on the routine management of laparotomy wounds.