Early Use of Incisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Pediatric Abdominal and Thoracic Surgery: A Single-Center Retrospective Study on Clinical and Economic Outcomes

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness and economic impact of early Incisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (iNPWT) in promoting surgical wound healing in pediatric patients undergoing abdominal and thoracic surgery. Background: Surgical wound complications, such as dehiscence and infection, are frequent in pediatric patients, especially in high-risk cases. Although iNPWT is increasingly used in surgical care, evidence supporting its efficacy in pediatric populations remains limited. Methods: This single-center, retrospective observational study analyzed 49 pediatric patients who underwent abdominal or thoracic surgery between January and December 2023. Patients received either intraoperative iNPWT (early application) or standard dressings. The outcomes assessed included time to complete wound healing, incidence of complications, pain levels, and healthcare costs. Results: Patients treated with early iNPWT showed significantly faster wound healing and fewer complications—particularly dehiscence and infections—compared to those receiving standard dressing. Pain perception did not significantly differ between groups. Although the initial costs of iNPWT were higher, overall costs were lower due to fewer complications and shorter hospital stays. Conclusions: Early iNPWT is a clinically effective and cost-efficient intervention for pediatric surgical patients at high risk of wound complications. However, limitations related to the retrospective design and small sample size suggest that prospective multicenter studies are needed to confirm these findings and support the development of standardized pediatric protocols.