Smith+Nephew (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN), the global medical technology company, today announces the publication of new consensus-based guidance - developed independently by expert clinicians for the use of single-use negative pressure wound therapy (sNPWT) in closed surgical incisions. The guidance is supported by practical clinical practice recommendations for Germany. Published in internationally recognised journal of surgery Die Chirurgie, the new German consensus was supported by Smith+Nephew, a pioneer in sNPWT and manufacturer of the PICO⬦7 sNPWT system.
New consensus provides practical framework for post-surgical care
This new interdisciplinary consensus is the first in Germany to translate clinical evidence into practical real-world guidance.¹ It highlights the importance of structured preventative strategies in reducing the risk of post-surgical complications such as prolonged wound drainage and seroma formation that are known to adversely affect the healing process.¹ This is critical to helping avoid complications at an early stage, and contributes to more predictable treatment outcomes¹.
sNPWT recommended for at-risk patients
Backed by strong clinical evidence, the consensus identifies sNPWT as a targeted preventive option for patients at increased risk of postoperative wound complications.¹ Risk factors include obesity, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and procedure-related factors such as prolonged surgical duration or revision surgery.¹ Having a clearly-defined patient criteria enables health professionals to tailor interventions based on individual risk profiles and supports clinical decision-making.¹ The new expert consensus also defines clear treatment boundaries, recommending sNPWT for wounds with an anticipated exudate volume of up to 300 ml per week.¹ As postoperative wound healing complications and surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a major challenge in surgical care, this provides clinicians with a much-needed practical framework for differentiated treatment decisions¹.
PICO 7 device features support evidence-based practice
Smith+Nephew continues to contribute to pioneering the advance of wound care solutions, with ease of use exemplifying how PICO 7 therapy can be integrated into clinical pathways. Featuring a canister-free system and lightweight and portable pump unit, it is particularly relevant for healthcare professionals and is designed for use on closed surgical incisions in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The practical dressing change indicator, visual indicators for leak detection and battery status, and the availability of dressing sizes and configurations to accommodate different anatomical situations all combine to facilitate integration into established care pathways and support continuity of therapy across healthcare settings.
Clinical benefits of controlled negative pressure therapy
Several clinically relevant effects of controlled negative pressure therapy have been demonstrated in practice¹-³. As well as removing exudate and wound debris, this type of therapy provides a pro-healing environment4-7*, reduces the risk of seroma**3, and promotes granulation and tissue formation9-11. PICO 7 therapy’s proprietary AIRLOCK technology12 helps support these outcomes with a unique mode of action that is clinically proven to activate the biology of healing13-16, providing a 360° action above, beyond and below the wound.17-23 The superabsorbent core locks away more than 99% of bacteria24-25 and approximately 20% of wound exudate within the dressing, while allowing around 80% of exudate to evaporate.26
Enquiries
Frida Wilhelmsson +46 (738) 499-429
Smith+Nephew frida.wilhelmsson@smith-nephew.com
About Smith+Nephew
Smith+Nephew is a portfolio medical technology business focused on the repair, regeneration and replacement of soft and hard tissue. We exist to restore people’s bodies and their self-belief by using technology to take the limits off living. We call this purpose ‘Life Unlimited’. Our 17,000 employees deliver this mission every day, making a difference to patients’ lives through the excellence of our product portfolio, and the invention and application of new technologies across our three global business units of Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT and Advanced Wound Management.
Founded in Hull, UK, in 1856, we now operate in around 100 countries, and generated annual sales of $6.2 billion in 2025. Smith+Nephew is a constituent of the FTSE100 (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN). The terms ‘Group’ and ‘Smith+Nephew’ are used to refer to Smith & Nephew plc and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.
For more information about Smith+Nephew, please visit www.smith-nephew.com and follow us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook.
Forward-looking Statements
This document may contain forward-looking statements that may or may not prove accurate. For example, statements regarding expected revenue growth and trading profit margins, market trends and our product pipeline are forward-looking statements. Phrases such as "aim", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "well-placed", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "consider" and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or implied by the statements. For Smith+Nephew, these factors include: conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, economic and financial conditions in the markets we serve, especially those affecting healthcare providers, payers and customers; price levels for established and innovative medical devices; developments in medical technology; regulatory approvals, reimbursement decisions or other government actions; product defects or recalls or other problems with quality management systems or failure to comply with related regulations; litigation relating to patent or other claims; legal and financial compliance risks and related investigative, remedial or enforcement actions; disruption to our supply chain or operations or those of our suppliers; competition for qualified personnel; strategic actions, including acquisitions and disposals, our success in performing due diligence, valuing and integrating acquired businesses; disruption that may result from transactions or other changes we make in our business plans or organisation to adapt to market developments; relationships with healthcare professionals; reliance on information technology and cybersecurity; disruptions due to natural disasters, weather and climate change related events; changes in customer and other stakeholder sustainability expectations; changes in taxation regulations; effects of foreign exchange volatility; and numerous other matters that affect us or our markets, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or reputational nature. Please refer to the documents that Smith+Nephew has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including Smith+Nephew's most recent annual report on Form 20-F, which is available on the SEC’s website at www. sec.gov, for a discussion of certain of these factors. Any forward-looking statement is based on information available to Smith+Nephew as of the date of the statement. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to Smith+Nephew are qualified by this caution. Smith+Nephew does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in circumstances or in Smith+Nephew's expectations.
◊ Trademark of Smith+Nephew. Certain marks registered in US Patent and Trademark Office.
