Smith+Nephew comparative study1 shows  PICO◊ sNPWT (-80 mmHg) delivers superior performance in relation to wound dehiscence and reduces healthcare costs across cardiovascular and orthopedic surgery versus PrevenaTM -125 mmHg sNPWT

Rhea-AI Summary

Smith+Nephew (NYSE:SNN) published a comparative real-world analysis of single-use negative pressure wound therapy (sNPWT) using >22,000 patients from the Premier PINC AI healthcare database. The study reports that PICO sNPWT (-80 mmHg) produced materially better outcomes versus Prevena -125 mmHg in orthopedic (17,000+ patients) and cardiovascular (5,000+ patients) surgery.

Key quantified findings: 57.8% and 63.9% relative reductions in wound dehiscence risk, shorter hospital length of stay (cardio 6.33 vs 6.86 days; ortho 2.43 vs 3.10 days), and index/30–90 day admission cost reductions ranging ~13%–22% (all p-values reported).

Positive

• Sample size >22,000 patients in real-world Premier PINC AI database
• Wound dehiscence −57.8% (cardiovascular) and −63.9% (orthopedic)
• Length of stay reductions: cardiovascular 6.33 vs 6.86 days, orthopedic 2.43 vs 3.10 days
• Admission cost reductions: cardiovascular ~10–13% and orthopedic ~22% at index and 30/90 days

Negative

• Observational study design using real-world database (Premier PINC AI) without randomized trial status
• Findings limited to cardiovascular and orthopedic surgical cohorts reported in the analysis

Insights

Clinical outcomes specialist

Large real‑world analysis reports substantially lower wound dehiscence and shorter hospital stays with PICO vs Prevena.

The study used the Premier PINC AI™ Healthcare Database and compared prophylactic use of PICO sNPWT (-80 mmHg) to Prevena -125 mmHg sNPWT across >22,000 patients. Reported effects include a 57.8% relative reduction in wound dehiscence for cardiovascular surgery (>5,000 patients) and a 63.9% reduction in orthopedic surgery (>17,000 patients), with p‑values reported as <0.01 and <0.05 respectively. Length of stay fell by 9.1% in cardiovascular cases (6.33 vs 6.86 days, p<0.0001) and 29.7% in orthopedic cases (2.43 vs 3.10 days, p<0.0001).

The data, as presented, show statistically significant differences in key clinical endpoints and utilization metrics in a large sample. To judge clinical robustness, examine the published paper for case‑mix adjustment, definitions of ‘‘wound dehiscence’’ and SSCs, and any propensity matching or covariate controls. Near‑term monitoring should include replication in other real‑world datasets and explicit subgroup results for high‑risk comorbidities mentioned (obesity, diabetes, hypertension) within the study; expect relevant follow‑up details in the publication and supplementary materials.

Health economics analyst

Reported index and follow‑up cost reductions favour PICO, implying lower admission and three‑month expenditures.

The analysis claims a 10.34% relative reduction in admission‑related costs and 13% lower expenditures within three months for cardiovascular surgery, and ~21.95% reduction in mean index admission cost with a 21% reduction at 30‑ and 90‑day post‑surgery for orthopedics (all p<0.001 or p<0.0001 where stated). Those figures, if derived from the Premier database comparisons, represent meaningful hospital‑level savings tied to shorter LoS and fewer SSCs.

Confirm cost methodology in the published work: check which cost components were included (index admission, readmissions, supply/device costs), currency basis, and whether costs reflect billed charges or standardized cost estimates. Monitor the full paper for absolute cost amounts, incremental cost differences, and the time horizon used to compute the 30‑ and 90‑day outcomes, as these determine the magnitude and practicality of projected savings for purchasers and payers.

Smith+Nephew (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN), the global medical technology company, today announces findings from a newly published, first-of-its-kind comparative study of single-use negative pressure wound therapy (sNPWT) devices in orthopedic and cardiovascular surgery.

Analyzing real-world data from over 22,000 patients in the Premier PINC AI™ Healthcare Database, the analysis reveals that prophylactic use of PICO sNPWT (-80 mmHg) significantly reduces the risk of wound dehiscence, hospital length of stay (LoS), and overall healthcare costs compared to the Prevena^TM -125 mmHg sNPWT device.

Smith + Nephew's PICO Single Use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System

An estimated 313 million surgical procedures are performed worldwide each year, with the number continuing to rise.² In the United States, surgical site infections (SSIs) occur in approximately 2% to 4% of patients undergoing inpatient procedures.^2,3

In relation to Prevena^TM sNPWT (-125mmHg), use of PICO sNPWT (-80mmHg) resulted in the following key study findings:

Cardiovascular Surgery (5,000+ patients)

• 57.8% relative reduction in wound dehiscence risk (P<0.01)
• 9.1% relative reduction in LoS (6.33 days vs. 6.86 days) (P<0.0001)
• 10.34% relative reduction in admission-related costs and 13% lower expenditures within three months post-surgery (P<0.0001)

Orthopedic Surgery (17,000+ patients)

• 63.9% relative reduction in wound dehiscence incidence (p<0.05)
• 29.7% relative reduction in LoS (2.43 days vs. 3.10 days) (p<0.0001)
• 21.95% relative reduction in mean index admission cost and a 21% reduction at 30- and 90-day post-surgery (p<0.001)

Substantial cost savings with PICO sNPWT
SSCs are associated with prolonged hospital stays, increased readmissions, and higher mortality risk, particularly in patients with comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.⁷ This study shows that PICO sNPWT may contribute to reduced surgical site complications for at risk patients and improved health economic outcomes the hospital.

“The differences we are seeing likely relate to the PICO system and its dressing design, as well as the associated mechanisms of action that may contribute to improved clinical outcomes.” says Dr. Adam Wright, orthopedic surgeon and study co- author. “Using PICO sNPWT prophylactically on at-risk patients undergoing orthopedic or cardiovascular surgeries helps reduce SSCs, and consequently, strain on healthcare resources.”

Growing Body of Evidence
These findings complement the growing evidence supporting prophylactic use of incisional negative pressure wound therapy (iNPWT) across surgery. A recent meta-analysis presented at the International Consensus Meeting 2025 concluded that “The use of iNPWT is recommended to minimize the risk of SSI in adult patients with primarily closed surgical incisions after lower extremity/acetabular fracture surgery and joint arthroplasty of the hip and knee.” 

These findings are aligned with the global recommendations including NICE⁴, WHO⁵ and the ACS/SIS⁶ guidelines, all of which recommend the use of iNPWT for the purpose of reducing the risk of SSI for at risk patients.

For more information about these studies, please visit: https://www.possiblewithpico.com/home

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Enquiries

Frida Wilhelmsson        +46 (738) 499 429
Smith+Nephew            frida.wilhelmsson@smith-nephew.com

About Smith+Nephew
Smith+Nephew is a portfolio medical technology company 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 $5.8 billion in 2024. 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.

^TM All trademarks acknowledged

*Follow up to 30 days post discharge to establish complication levels post-surgery

1.          Bashyal RK, Searle R, Nherera LM, Wright A. Effects of single-use negative pressure wound therapy on healthcare use: US analysis of a large claims database. Journal of Wound Care . 2025;34(8):555-562.

2.           Meara JG, Leather AJM, Hagander L, et al. Global Surgery 2030: Evidence and solutions for achieving health, welfare, and economic development. The Lancet. Lancet Publishing Group. 2015;386(9993):569-624. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60160-X

3.           CDC, Ncezid, DHQP. Surgical Site Infection Event (SSI). https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/pdfs/ps-analysis-resources/ImportingProcedureData.pdf.

4.           Surgical site infections: prevention and treatment NICE guideline. Published online 2019. Accessed September 9, 2022. www.nice.org.uk/guidance/MTG43.

5.           Global Guidelines for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection. World Health Organization; 2018.

6.           Ban K, Minei J, Laronga C, et al. American College of Surgeons and Surgical Infection Society: Surgical Site Infection Guidelines, 2016 Update.; 2017.

7.           Ciprandi, G et al. World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) Consensus Document. Closed surgical incision management: understanding the role of NPWT. Wounds International, 2016.

8.           3^rd Meeting International Consensus Meeting, May 8-10^th. Istanbul, Turkey. www.icmortho.org

FAQ

What did Smith+Nephew announce about PICO sNPWT (SNN) on October 27, 2025?

Smith+Nephew reported a comparative real-world study showing PICO sNPWT (-80 mmHg) reduced wound dehiscence, length of stay, and admission costs versus Prevena -125 mmHg across >22,000 patients.

How much did PICO sNPWT reduce wound dehiscence risk versus Prevena in cardiovascular surgery (SNN)?

The study reports a 57.8% relative reduction in wound dehiscence risk for cardiovascular surgery (P<0.01).

What length of stay difference did the SNN study report for orthopedic patients using PICO versus Prevena?

Orthopedic patients using PICO had a mean LoS of 2.43 days vs 3.10 days for Prevena (≈29.7% relative reduction, p<0.0001).

What cost savings did Smith+Nephew (SNN) report for PICO sNPWT at 30–90 days?

The study reports approximately a 21% reduction in admission-related costs at 30 and 90 days for orthopedic patients and ~13% in cardiovascular cohorts (reported p-values <0.001 to <0.0001).

What population and data source did the Smith+Nephew SNN study use?

The analysis used real-world data from over 22,000 patients in the Premier PINC AI healthcare database across cardiovascular and orthopedic surgeries.

Will the SNN study results change clinical guidance for iNPWT use?

The company positions the findings as complementary to existing recommendations; the study aligns with recent meta-analyses and guidelines that recommend iNPWT for at-risk surgical patients.