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Original Research | General Surgery | Volume 15 Issue 7, July 2026 | Pages: 1891 - 1895 | India
Comparative Analysis of Negative Pressure Subcutaneous Drain Versus Conventional Wound Management in Laparotomy Wound Healing: A Prospective Cohort Study
Abstract: Introduction: Laparotomy wounds are prone to postoperative complications such as surgical site infection, seroma, hematoma, delayed wound healing and wound dehiscence. Negative pressure subcutaneous drainage may improve wound healing by reducing dead space, removing wound collections and improving tissue apposition. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of negative pressure subcutaneous drains in enhancing laparotomy wound healing compared with conventional wound management, with specific assessment of wound healing time, infection rate, seroma, hematoma, wound dehiscence, secondary intervention, hospital stay and overall clinical outcome. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 97 patients aged 18-70 years undergoing laparotomy at the Department of General Surgery, B.R.D. Medical College, Gorakhpur, during 2024-2025. Forty-nine patients were managed with negative pressure subcutaneous drainage and 48 patients received conventional wound management. Postoperative outcomes were assessed over one month. Continuous variables were expressed as mean ? SD and categorical variables as frequency and percentage. Results: Most patients belonged to the 41-50 years age group (22.68%) and males predominated (69.07%). Emergency laparotomy was performed in 68.04% of patients. Baseline group characteristics were comparable. The Drain Group had shorter wound healing time and hospital stay than the Control Group. Postoperative complications were also significantly lower in the Drain Group, including SSI, seroma, hematoma, wound dehiscence and secondary intervention. Conclusion: Negative pressure subcutaneous drainage following laparotomy was associated with faster wound healing, shorter hospitalization and lower postoperative wound complications compared with conventional wound management. It appears to be a useful adjunct for improving laparotomy wound outcomes, particularly in high-risk surgical patients.
Keywords: Negative pressure subcutaneous drain, laparotomy, surgical site infection, wound healing, seroma, hematoma, wound dehiscence, prospective cohort study
How to Cite?: Dr. Mohit Jaiswal, Dr. Yogesh Kumar, Dr. Shubham Nayak, Dr. Juli Chand, "Comparative Analysis of Negative Pressure Subcutaneous Drain Versus Conventional Wound Management in Laparotomy Wound Healing: A Prospective Cohort Study", Volume 15 Issue 7, July 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1891-1895, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26702153601, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26702153601