14-05-2025
A comparative sNPWT study of 10,000+ C-sections shows PICO™ sNPWT reduces complications and cuts healthcare costs by $728,000 per 1,000 patients
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Smith+Nephew (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN), the global medical technology company, today announces findings from a newly published comparative study of single-use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (sNPWT) devices in Caesarean section (C-section) recovery has identified significant benefits for postpartum use of Smith+Nephew's leading PICO sNPWT technology. Analyzing real-world data from over 10,000 C-section patients treated at different pressure levels, the study published in WOUNDS (April 2025) reveals that PICO sNPWT contributes to a significant reduction in surgical site complications (SSCs), including a reduction in the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs), wound dehiscence and seroma, and overall costs, compared to another sNPWT device (P≤0.05). 1
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New survey: The real-life burden of C-section complications
A complementary survey of new mothers who have undergone C-sections highlighted the impact of SSCs on both mother and baby: 2
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Dr. Tia Welsh, M.D. Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Valley Medical Group and co-author of the study added, ' Postpartum is already a very vulnerable period for mothers, even without complications. SSCs add physical pain, prolonged recoveries, emotional distress, and disrupt critical early bonding with newborns. These interruptions carry emotional and practical burdens, increasing the risks of postpartum depression, anxiety, and trauma – costs that can't be captured in dollars alone.'
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Real-world data shows the clinical and economic benefits of using PICO sNPWT in patients undergoing C-section procedures
The study used real-world evidence from the Premier PINC AI™ Healthcare Database to analyze outcomes from a geographically diverse mix of community hospitals, teaching hospitals and healthcare systems across the US.
Notable findings include significant reductions with PICO sNPWT, compared to other sNPWT devices in the incidence of*:
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Overall SSIs (p=0.018)
Superficial SSIs (p=0.017)
Wound dehiscence (p=0.005)
Seroma formation(p=0.050)
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'We've long understood the benefits of NPWT in surgical recovery, but this is the first large-scale study to directly compare different pressure levels in a real-world setting,'
said Dr. Annmarie Vilkins, DO. Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Henry Ford Health, and the study's lead author. 'We found that PICO sNPWT showed significantly improved outcomes through optimizing pressure, fluid management, and skin adhesion. Its unique design helped maintain a high moisture vapor transmission rate supporting an ideal healing environment for recovery, particularly critical for high-risk incisions like C-sections under skin folds, where moisture buildup can lead to infection.'
