Overview

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for post total joint arthroplasty incisions has demonstrated benefits in reducing wound complications. A prospective randomized trial will be conducted including 40 patients who will undergo total knee and total hip arthroplasty. The number of wound complications within 21 days will be recorded. As well, the aesthetic appearance and quality of scarring of the scar will be assessed.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients undergoing total knee or total hip arthroplasty at Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients using steroid, or other immune modulators that is known to affect wound healing, prior surgery to the knee or hip, skin condition such as eczema that would result in poor healing or widen scars, patients with a known significant history of hypertrophic scarring or keloid.