Wound-Irrigating Device Combat Surgical Infections

An innovative wound retraction and protection system helps thwart surgical site infections (SSIs).

The Prescient Surgical CleanCision device combines wound irrigation and protection, using a double-walled sheath that delivers a sterile irrigant solution and removes fluid from the wound edge. The irrigating wound retractor device is indicated for use in abdominal surgery for incisions 7-16 cm in diameter, during which it retracts the incision, irrigates the wound edge, and provides access to the abdominal cavity.

Fluid is delivered to the wound edges via gravitational feed from an external fluid bag connected with a Luer connector into the device, which is delivered to the wound edges through a permeable outer layer in the integrated sheath. The inner layer of the sheath, on the other hand, is impermeable to the fluids present in the surgical field. After coming into contact with the wound edge, the excess fluid is removed through a separate chamber within the sheath via connection to wall suction.

“Prescient’s mission is to bring down healthcare costs by targeting the risk of surgical site infection, which is linked to significant morbidity and mortality,” said Jonathan Coe, CEO of Prescient Surgical. “Hospitals are increasingly focusing on infection control to improve patient care as a primary goal. Prescient's success with the CleanCision device bodes well for providers driven towards the 'triple aim' of quality of care, patient satisfaction, and reduced costs.”

SSIs are an important source, and may even be the most frequent healthcare-associated infection (HAI) after asymptomatic bacteriuria, representing a high burden on patients and hospitals in terms of morbidity, mortality, prolonged length of hospital stay, and additional costs. SSI is involved in about 2-5% of the 30 million surgeries conducted annually in the U.S., but can be as high as 15-50% in certain high-risk, contaminated procedures such as colorectal surgery.