Classification--important step to improve management of patients with an open abdomen

Early results after treatment of open abdomen after aortic surgery with mesh traction and vacuum-assisted wound closure

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to describe the use of vacuum-assisted wound closure (VAWC) and mesh traction to repair an open abdomen after aortic surgery.

DESIGN

Prospective clinical study.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From October 2006 to April 2009, nine consecutive patients were treated; seven of the patients received laparostomy following abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS), while two wounds were left open initially. The indication for laparostomy was intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) > 20 mmHg or abdominal perfusion pressure (APP) < 60 mmHg and development of organ failure. V.A.C. therapy (KCI, San Antonio, TX, USA) was initiated with the laparostomy, and supplemented with a fascial mesh after 2 days. The wound was then closed stepwise with mesh traction and VAWC.

RESULTS

All wounds could be closed following a median interval of 10.5 (range: 6-19) days after laparostomy. A median of four (range: 2-7) dressing changes were performed. One patient died on the seventh postoperative day. Two other patients died 38 and 50 days after final closure, respectively. Left colonic necrosis was seen in two patients while incisional hernia was observed in two patients. Mean follow-up duration was 17 (range: 2-36) months.

CONCLUSION

VAWC with mesh traction was successful in terms of early delayed primary closure and is a useful tool in the treatment of open abdomen after aortic surgery.

Laparostomy: why and when?

This article is one of ten reviews selected from the Yearbook of Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2010 (Springer Verlag) and co-published as a series in Critical Care. Other articles in the series can be found online at http://ccforum.com/series/yearbook. Further information about the Yearbook of Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine is available from http://www.springer.com/series/2855.

Prophylactic open abdomen in patients with postoperative intra-abdominal hypertension

Postoperative intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is a frequent occurrence in critically ill patients operated on for severe abdominal trauma, secondary peritonitis or ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. IAH may progress to abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) with new-onset organ dysfunction. Early recognition of IAH and interventions that prevent the development of ACS may preserve vital organ functions and increase the probability of survival. The best method to prevent postoperative ACS is to leave the abdomen open during the operation. The decision to leave the abdomen open is usually based on the surgeon's judgment without intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) measurements during the operation. Because significant morbidity and mortality are associated with the open abdomen, the measurement of IAP immediately after the fascial closure, when feasible, could offer an objective method for determining the optimal IAP threshold for leaving the abdomen open. The management of the open abdomen requires a temporary abdominal closure (TAC) system that would ideally prevent the development of ACS and facilitate later primary fascia closure. Among several TAC systems, the most promising are those that provide negative pressure to the wound or continuous fascial traction or both.