The Use of the Prevena™ Incision Management System on Post-Surgical Cesarean Section Incisions

PIMS is a non-significant-risk, FDA Class II, medical device commercially available in the USA, Canada and Europe. The prospective, post-marketing clinical study described in this protocol will assess the effectiveness and functional performance of the system. The PIMS unit is a single patient use, battery-powered, disposable unit that can provide continuous -125 mmHg negative pressure over a 7-day therapy period. It is an easy to use device that also provides audible and visual alerts for low battery, maximum canister volume, and leak conditions. Additional alerts include system error and device life-cycle expiration (8 days). It is contained in a water-resistant housing, which allows the Subject to lightly shower with the device. Wound fluids are contained within the 45 mL canister.

The standard-of-care is consistent with the national standard for dressing Cesarean section incisions and includes, but not limited to, coverage of the sutured incision with sterile gauze and non-penetrable barrier (e.g., Tegaderm™). The non-penetrable barrier may be left in place for a minimum of 1 day and no longer than 2 days (± 4 hours) to promote epithelialization of the surgical incision edges. After the dressing is removed, the surgical site is left exposed to air to promote further healing. Other therapies include traditional gauze dressings with or without advanced therapies such as hydrocolloids, growth factors, and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy.