Surgical site infection (SSI) is a well-characterized morbidity after vascular surgical procedures, especially after infrainguinal and lower extremity bypass. Rates of SSI after these interventions range from 4.8% to 38.5%, which is higher than predicted for “clean” (type I/II) wounds (2%-6%). SSI rates are increased because of the proximity of wounds to the perineum and genitalia, use of prosthetic materials, and disruption of lymphatic vessels during groin incisions; most are attributable to inoculation by skin flora or direct bacterial
spread at the time of initial operation.

“SSIs remain a major source of potentially modifiable morbidity after infrainguinal vascular procedures. Efforts to decrease perioperative SSIs and wound complications appear to be successful using perioperative care bundles. In particular, cNPWT through use of the Prevena device appears to confer a protective effect in terms of helping decrease SSIs and overall wound complications.”

Benrashid E, et al Negative pressure wound therapy reduces surgical site infections. J Vasc Surg. 2020 Mar;71(3):896-904.