LAUSR

OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) versus conventional dressings (CD)in the management of open fractures. DATA SOURCES A systematic search of English articles in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library through April 2019 comparing NPWT Vs CD in the management of open fractures. STUDY SELECTION Inclusion criteria were articles in English language, comparing NPWT with CD in skeletally mature individuals who had sustained an open fracture at any anatomical site, reporting on rates of deep infection, flap frequency, flap failure, non-union, amputation, length of hospital or Intensive Care Unit Stay. DATA EXTRACTION Two authors independently extracted data from selected studies and the data collected was compared to verify agreement. DATA SYNTHESIS Pooled odds ratios were calculated for dichotomous outcomes while continuous data was analyzed using the standard weighted mean difference. A random or fixed effect model was used depending on the level of heterogeneity between studies. CONCLUSIONS NPWT results in decreased likelihood of deep infection and flap failure compared to CD in the management of open fractures not directly amenable to early closure.