New meta-analysis demonstrates the effectiveness of PICO™ NPWT in helping to prevent surgical site complications versus standard care

Smith & Nephew (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN), the global medical technology business, announces the publication of a new meta-analysis of 16 studies that demonstrated the prophylactic application of PICO on surgical site incisions significantly reduced surgical site infections (‘SSIs’), wound dehiscence and length of stay when compared to standard care.

According to the meta-analysis, using PICO with AIRLOCK^™ Technology significantly reduced the rate of surgical site complications by 58% and the rate of dehiscence (wound rupturing along a surgical incision) by 26%. PICO treated patients spent half a day less in hospital on average¹.

“This is the first comprehensive meta-analysis that has assessed the benefit of a specific negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device on surgical site complications.” said Paolo Di Vincenzo, Senior Vice President Global Marketing, Smith & Nephew.

“It is a significant addition to the growing body of literature supporting PICO as an effective prophylactic treatment option for SSIs and helps provide important insights into optimising clinical management strategies for preventing SSIs, which are an increasing concern for healthcare providers and their patients around the world.”

The meta-analysis evaluated results from 16 peer reviewed publications (including 10 RCTs) involving 1863 patients and 2202 incisions to assess the average effect of PICO Single Use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System application across a wide variety of surgical indications, on surgical site infection (SSI), dehiscence or length of hospital stay in comparison to standard of care.

The overall number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one costly and potentially dangerous and painful SSI was just 14, and this was further reduced to an NNT of 5 for patients, treated with PICO, undergoing colorectal surgery.

Dr Risal Djohan, Department of Plastic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, USA, a PICO user, added: “This meta- analysis confirms the benefits and significant role of the PICO system. With the current available and published data, it underlines the importance of adapting the use of this advanced and novel innovation in helping to treat our patients with confidence to lower the potential incidence for surgical complications.”

The PICO Single Use NPWT system is being investigated in a number of further clinical trials worldwide. For more information about this study please see http://www.smith-nephew.com/strugala/.

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Dave Snyder
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Smith & Nephew plc

About Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business dedicated to supporting healthcare professionals in their daily efforts to improve the lives of their patients. With leadership positions in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Advanced Wound Management, Sports Medicine and Trauma & Extremities, Smith & Nephew has more than 15,000 employees and a presence in more than 100 countries. Annual sales in 2017 were almost $4.8 billion. Smith & Nephew is a member of the FTSE100 (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN).

For more information about Smith & Nephew, please visit our corporate website www.smith-nephew.com, follow @SmithNephewplc on Twitter or visit SmithNephewplc on Facebook.com

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