Overview
The 3M Prevena Incision Management System is a negative pressure wound therapy solution designed to improve surgical incision management by reducing complications, enhancing protection, and promoting healing, especially in high-risk patients.
Conventional Incision Closure Challenges
- Traditional closure techniques using sutures and staples are still widely used but can increase the risk of post-operative complications.
- Standard gauze dressings provide minimal protection and remain the passive standard for post-surgical care.
- Surgical site infections (SSIs) account for up to 22% of all healthcare-associated infections.
- SSIs and post-operative dehiscence can significantly increase hospital stay length and healthcare costs.
Mechanism of Action: Prevena System
- The Prevena system applies continuous negative pressure (125 mm Hg) for up to 7 days across the incision.
- Designed to hold incision edges together, remove exudate and infectious materials, and act as a barrier to external contamination.
- Maintains a closed environment after primary closure, particularly for incisions that continue draining.
Prevena Product Features
- The Prevena Peel and Place Dressing offers various sizes for standard procedures and easy application in the operating room.
- Adhesive film secures the dressing; stabilization layer prevents wrinkling and ensures a robust seal.
- The flexible protective shell conforms to different surgical sites and acts as a barrier to contamination.
- The skin interface layer wicks fluids away and includes ionic silver to hinder bacterial growth.
- Foam bolster distributes negative pressure evenly while conforming to incision contours.
Customization and Advanced Components
- Prevena Plus Customizable Dressing supports various incision shapes and lengths and can be cut to fit.
- Hydrocolloid strips ensure a continuous adhesive seal, minimizing fluid leaks.
- The VAC drape covers foam and provides further protection from external contaminants.
- Sensor Track technology in the pad and tubing monitors and adjusts pressure without extra connectors.
- The 150 mL canister increases exudate storage capacity; AC adapter allows battery charging.
Biomechanical and Clinical Evidence
- Computer models show Prevena therapy reduces incision lateral tension by 50%, eliminates incisional gaps, and replicates normal tissue stress distribution.
- Prevena therapy has the most extensive published clinical evidence among negative pressure incision management systems, including over 200 peer-reviewed articles and 30 randomized controlled trials.