220 patients scheduled for either total knee or hip arthroplasty were randomized to wound management with either incisional negative pressure wound therapy dressings (iNPWTd) or standard dressings. The purpose of this study was to compare wound exudate levels and length of hospital stay between groups. The incidence of patients demonstrating overt wound exudate was significantly lower in the iNPWTd group compared to the control group, as was the incidence of prolonged hospital stay due to wound leakage. Nonetheless, differences between groups in mean length of hospital stay and incidence of wound complications did not reach statistical significance.