Early definitive abdominal closure using serial closure technique on injured soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq

The temporary abdominal closure techniques used for trauma patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

The choice of temporary abdominal closure (TAC) method affects the prognosis of trauma patients. Previous studies on TAC are challenging to extrapolate due to data heterogeneity. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and comparison of various TAC techniques.

Methods

We accessed web-based databases for studies on the clinical outcomes of TAC techniques. Recognized techniques, including negative-pressure wound therapy with or without continuous fascial traction, skin tension, meshes, Bogota bags, and Wittman patches, were classified via a method of closure such as skin-only closure vs. patch closure vs. vacuum closure; and via dynamics of treatment like static therapy (ST) vs. dynamic therapy (DT). Study endpoints included in-hospital mortality, definitive fascial closure (DFC) rate, and incidence of intraabdominal complications.

Results

Among 1,065 identified studies, 37 papers comprising 2,582 trauma patients met the inclusion criteria. The vacuum closure group showed the lowest mortality (13%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6%-19%) and a moderate DFC rate (74%; 95% CI, 67%-82%). The skin-only closure group showed the highest mortality (35%; 95% CI, 7%-63%) and the highest DFC rate (96%; 95% CI, 93%-99%). In the second group analysis, DT showed better outcomes than ST for all endpoints.

Conclusion

Vacuum closure was favorable in terms of in-hospital mortality, ventral hernia, and peritoneal abscess. Skin-only closure might be an alternative TAC method in carefully selected groups. DT may provide the best results; however, further studies are needed.

How soon is too soon?: Optimal timing of split-thickness skin graft following polyglactin 910 mesh closure of the open abdomen

BACKGROUND

Various management strategies exist for the abdomen that will not close. At our institution, these patients are managed with polyglactin 910 mesh followed 14 days later (LATE) by split-thickness skin graft (STSG) or, in some cases, earlier (EARLY, <14 days), if the wound is judged to be adequately granulated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of STSG timing for wounds felt ready for grafting on STSG failure.

METHODS

Consecutive patients over a 3-year period managed with polyglactin 910 mesh followed by STSG were identified. Patient characteristics, severity of injury and shock, time to STSG, and outcomes, including STSG failure, were recorded and compared. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of graft failure.

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients were identified: 31 EARLY and 30 LATE. There was no difference in severity of injury or shock between the groups. Split-thickness skin graft failure occurred in 11 patients (9 EARLY vs. 2 LATE, p < 0.0001). Time to STSG was significantly less in patients with graft failure (11 days vs. 15 days, p = 0.012). In fact, after adjusting for age, injury severity, severity of shock, and time to STSG, multivariable logistic regression identified EARLY STSG (odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-1.8, p = 0.020) as the only independent predictor of graft failure.

CONCLUSION

Appearance of the open abdomen can be misleading during the first 2 weeks following polyglactin 910 mesh placement. EARLY STSG was the only modifiable risk factor associated with graft failure. Thus, for optimal results, STSG should be delayed at least 14 days after polyglactin 910 mesh placement.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic study, level IV.

Serial abdominal closure with Gore-tex mesh and Rives-Stoppa for an open abdomen secondary to intra-abdominal hypertension in burns

Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) leading to abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) commonly occurs in major burns. To relieve the excess pressure, decompressive laparotomy is done which can lead to an open abdomen. Closure of the abdomen after a decompressive laparotomy is very difficult with bowel oedema. We describe our technique of closing the open abdomen in such situations with a combination of serial abdominal wall closure with a layered mesh and the Rives-Stoppa component separation technique.

Complications and Mortality Associated with Temporary Abdominal Closure Techniques: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Temporary abdominal closure (TAC) techniques are routinely used in the open abdomen. Ideally, they should prevent evisceration, aid in removal of unwanted fluid from the peritoneal cavity, facilitate in achieving safe definitive fascial closure, as well as prevent the development of intra-abdominal complications. TAC techniques used in the open abdomen were compared with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) to identify which was superior. A systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines involving Medline, Excerpta Medica, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Clinicaltrials.gov. All studies describing TAC technique use in the open abdomen were eligible for inclusion. Data were analyzed per TAC technique in the form of a meta-analysis. A total of 225 articles were included in the final analysis. A meta-analysis involving only randomized controlled trials showed that NPWT with continuous fascial closure was superior to NPWT alone for definitive fascial closure [mean difference (MD): 35% ± 23%; P = 0.0044]. A subsequent meta-analysis involving all included studies confirmed its superiority across outcomes for definitive fascial closure (MD: 19% ± 3%; P < 0.0001), perioperative (MD: -4.0% ± 2.4%; P = 0.0013) and in-hospital (MD: -5.0% ± 2.9%; P = 0.0013) mortality, entero-atmospheric fistula (MD: 22.0% ± 1.8%; P = 0.0041), ventral hernia (MD: -4.0% ± 2.4%; P = 0.0010), and intra-abdominal abscess (MD: -3.1% ± 2.1%; P = 0.0044). Therefore, it was concluded that NPWT with continuous fascial traction is superior to NPWT alone.

Small Bowel Fistulas and the Open Abdomen

Over the last 15 years, the contemporary strategies to treat the open abdomen have reduced the lethal complications. Systematic intensive care and modern wound management in conjunction with a plastic barrier to protect the viscera and topical negative pressure on the soft tissues have reduced the development of small bowel fistulas. The literature selected for this review shows that the surgical handling of the exposed bowel, the choice of the material for temporary coverage and early progressive closure of the defect are crucial for the prevention of fistulas. At present, surgeons worldwide have adopted these principles leading to an increase of primary or delayed closure rates. When a small fistula occurs, biological dressings like human acellular dermal matrix and fibrin glue may help to seal the orifice and to treat the patient conservatively. In case of a large fistula, vacuum-assisted wound management is recommended as well. Through a separate hole in the vacuum sponge matching to the fistula, the enteric contents are sucked off while the wound bed heals and is prepared for split thickness skin graft. Surgical resection of established fistula unresponsive to conservative measures should only be performed on patients well-nourished and free of infection with a delay of at least six months. for patients with an open abdomen, surgical expertise and a well-structured management plan offer the best chances to overcome this potentially devastating condition — with or without fistula.

Ratio-driven resuscitation predicts early fascial closure in the combat wounded

BACKGROUND

Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom have seen the highest rates of combat casualties since Vietnam. These casualties often require massive transfusion (MT) and immediate surgical attention to control hemorrhage. Clinical practice guidelines dictate ratio-driven resuscitation (RDR) for patients requiring MT. With the transition from crystalloid to blood product resuscitation, we have seen fewer open abdomens in combat casualties. We sought to determine the effect RDR has on achieving early definitive abdominal fascial closure in combat casualties undergoing exploratory laparotomy.

METHODS

Records of 1,977 combat casualties admitted to a single US military hospital from April 2003 to December 2011 were reviewed. Patients receiving an MT and laparotomy in theater constituted the study cohort. The cohort was divided into RDR, defined as a ratio of 0.8-U to 1.2-U packed red blood cells to 1-U fresh frozen plasma, and No-RDR groups. Age, injury patterns, mechanism of injury, injury severity, blood products, number of laparotomies, and days to fascial closure were collected. Assessed outcomes were number of days (early ≤ 2 days) and number of laparotomies to achieve fascial closure.

RESULTS

The mean age of the study cohort (n = 172) was 24.0 years, and mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 24.8. Improvised explosive device blast was the most common mechanism of injury (74.4%). The cohort was divided into RDR patients (n = 73) and no RDR (n = 99). There was no difference in mean age, mean ISS, or rate of nontherapeutic exploratory laparotomies between the groups. RDR patients had a significantly lower abdominal injury rate (34.2% vs. 72.7%, p < 0.01), had fewer laparotomies (2.7 vs. 4.3, p = 0.003), and achieved primary fascial closure faster (2.4 days vs. 7.2 days, p = 0.004). On multivariate analysis, RDR (2.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.44-5.2) was an independent predictor for early fascial closure.

CONCLUSION

Adherence to RDR guidelines resulted in significantly decreased number of abdominal operations and was identified as an independent predictor for early fascial closure. Further investigation is warranted to validate these findings.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic study, level III.

Temporary abdominal closure with polytetrafluoroethylene prosthetic mesh in critically ill non-trauma patients

BACKGROUND

Survival in critically ill non-trauma patients may be improved by performing temporary abdominal closure using different surgical techniques. We describe the use of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) mesh for temporary abdominal closure in a group of critical patients. We also evaluate definitive abdominal wall closure in these patients once they are in a stable condition.

METHOD

We conducted a study of 29 critically ill non-trauma patients who underwent temporary abdominal closure due to sepsis or abdominal compartment syndrome over 7 years at two university hospitals. We analysed factors related to surgical wound type and definitive abdominal wall closure. We evaluated the SAPS 3 severity score and used it to obtain expected mortality. We used the Clavien-Dindo System for Surgical Complications and the Ventral Hernia Working Group Classification during follow-up.

RESULTS

Performing temporary abdominal closure with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene mesh was associated with a mortality rate of 20.68%, which was lower than the expected mortality calculated from the SAPS 3 severity score (38.87 ± 21.60). There was no fistula formation related with this type of prosthetic material. In our study group, definitive abdominal wall closure was performed in the 16 patients who survived (69.5%), and six of them underwent this procedure during the original hospital stay.

CONCLUSION

Temporary abdominal closure with ePTFE mesh is an effective alternative in some circumstances. We observed a higher survival rate than the predicted figure and there were no cases of enteroatmospheric fistulae using this particular surgical technique. ePTFE facilitates definitive abdominal wall closure, once the patient is in a stable condition.

Planned re-laparotomy and the need for optimization of physiology and immunology

Planned re-laparotomy or damage control laparotomy (DCL), first described by Dr. Harlan Stone in 1983, has become a widely utilized technique in a broad range of patients and operative situations. Studies have validated the use of DCL by demonstrating decreased mortality and morbidity in trauma, general surgery and abdominal vascular catastrophes. Indications for planned re-laparotomy include severe physiologic derangements, coagulopathy, concern for bowel ischemia, and abdominal compartment syndrome. The immunology of DCL patients is not well described in humans, but promising animal studies suggest a benefit from the open abdomen (OA) and several human trials on this subject are currently underway. Optimal critical care of patients with OA's, including sedation, paralysis, nutrition, antimicrobial and fluid management strategies have been associated with improved closure rates and recovery.

Abdominal damage control surgery and reconstruction: world society of emergency surgery position paper

Damage control laparotomy was first described by Dr. Harlan Stone in 1983 when he suggested that patients with severe trauma should have their primary procedures abbreviated when coagulopathy was encountered. He recommended temporizing patients with abdominal packing and temporary closure to allow restoration of normal physiology prior to returning to the operating room for definitive repair. The term damage control in the trauma setting was coined by Rotondo et al., in 1993. Studies in subsequent years have validated this technique by demonstrating decreased mortality and immediate post-operative complications. The indications for damage control laparotomy have evolved to encompass abdominal compartment syndrome, abdominal sepsis, vascular and acute care surgery cases. The perioperative critical care provided to these patients, including sedation, paralysis, nutrition, and fluid management strategies may improve closure rates and recovery. In the rare cases of inability to primarily close the abdomen, there are a number of reconstructive strategies that may be used in the acute and chronic phases of abdominal closure.

Current status of the open abdomen treatment for intra-abdominal infection

The open abdomen has become an important approach for critically ill patients who require emergent abdominal surgical interventions. This treatment, originating from the concept of damage control surgery, was first applied in severe traumatic patients. The ultimate goal is to achieve formal abdominal fascial closure by several attempts and adjuvant therapies (fluid management, nutritional support, skin grafting, etc.). Up to the present, open abdomen therapy becomes matured and is multistage-approached in the management of patients with severe trauma. However, its application in patients with intra-abdominal infection still presents great challenges due to critical complications and poor clinical outcomes. This review focuses on the specific use of the open abdomen in such populations and detailedly introduces current concerns and advanced progress about this therapy.

An experience in the management of the open abdomen in severely injured burn patients

Few descriptions of temporary abdominal closure for planned relaparotomy have been reported in burned patients. The purpose of this study is to describe our experience and outcomes in the management of burned patients with an open abdomen. The authors performed a retrospective review of all admissions to our burn center from March 2003 to June 2008, identifying patients treated by laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure. The authors collected data on patient demographics, indication for laparotomy, methods of temporary and definitive abdominal closure, and outcomes. Of 2,104 patients admitted, 38 underwent a laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure. Their median TBSA was 55%, and the incidence of inhalation injury was 58%. Abdominal compartment syndrome was the most common indication for laparotomy (82%) followed by abdominal trauma (16%). The in-hospital mortality associated with an open abdomen was 68%. Temporary abdominal closure was performed most commonly using negative pressure wound therapy (90%). Fascial closure was performed in 21 patients but was associated with a 38% rate of failure requiring reexploration. Of 12 survivors, fascial closure was achieved in seven patients and five were managed with a planned ventral hernia. Burned patients who necessitate an open abdomen management strategy have a high morbidity and mortality. Fascial closure was associated with a high rate of failure but was successful in a select group of patients. Definitive abdominal closure with a planned ventral hernia was associated with no increased mortality and remains an option when "tension-free" fascial closure cannot be achieved.

Surgical strategies for management of the open abdomen

Since the mid-1990s the surgical community has seen a surge in the prevalence of open abdomens (OAs) reported in the surgical literature and in clinical practice. The OA has proven to be effective in decreasing mortality and immediate postoperative complications; however, it may come at the cost of delayed morbidity and the need for further surgical procedures. Indications for leaving the abdomen open have broadened to include damage control surgery, abdominal compartment syndrome, and abdominal sepsis. The surgical options for management of the OA are now more diverse and sophisticated, but there is a lack of prospective randomized controlled trials demonstrating the superiority of any particular method. Additionally, critical care strategies for optimization of the patient with an OA are still being developed. Review of the literature suggests a bimodal distribution of primary closure rates, with early closure dependent on postoperative intensive care management and delayed closure more affected by the choice of the temporary abdominal closure technique. Invariably, a small fraction of patients requiring OA management fail to have primary fascial closure and require some form of biologic fascial bridge with delayed ventral hernia repair in the future.

Dynamic retention suture closure: modified Bogotá bag approach

BACKGROUND

Management of patients with abdominal compartment syndrome requires abdominal decompression and the use of the open abdomen technique. Various options exist for the management of the open abdomen including expensive, commercially available devices to aid in the gradual closure of the abdominal wall. A previously described temporary closure technique using dynamic retention sutures was modified and used in eleven trauma injured patients at the Puerto Rico Trauma Center.

METHODS

Retrospective case series of 11 trauma patients, seven blunt and four penetrating, treated at the Puerto Rico Trauma Center with the modified Bogotá bag (MBB) approach from October 2005 to November 2006.

RESULTS

The MBB approach was applied in 11 out of 43 trauma patients (26%) who had undergone a Bogotá bag closure during an initial damage control surgery. Patients' average age was 27.5 (2-65) y old, including 8 males and 3 females, with an injury severity score (ISS) of 23.3 (9-38). The MBB placement allowed serial approximation in the Trauma ICU with subsequent delayed primary abdominal closure. The procedure was used for an average of 7.3 (4-12) d. Abdominal closure was achieved in 10 out of 11 patients (91%).

CONCLUSIONS

The MBB technique has preliminarily proven to be effective, allowing delayed primary closure in 91% of the cases. The MBB approach represents an inexpensive and useful alternative in the management of the open abdomen.

Modern management of complex open abdominal wounds of war: a 5-year experience

BACKGROUND

Optimal management of the open abdomen remains controversial.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review of patients injured during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom returning to Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) from January 2003 to October 2007 for treatment of open abdomen.

RESULTS

Three hundred fifty-four patients were evacuated to WRAMC after laparotomy, including 86 patients (24%) with open abdomen. Three transferred patients were excluded. Eighty-three patients, mean age 26 years (range 18 to 54 years), sustaining injury from secondary blast (n = 47), gunshot (n = 29), and blunt trauma (n = 7) were studied. Surgical management included early definitive abdominal closure (EDAC, n = 56; 67%), primary fascial closure (n = 15; 18%), planned ventral hernia (PVH, n = 9; 11%) and vacuum-assisted closure with AlloDerm (n = 3; 4%). EDAC closure involves serial closure with Gore-Tex Dualmesh and final closure supplemented with polypropylene mesh (62%) or AlloDerm (31%). There was no substantial difference in injury mechanism, age, length of evacuation to WRAMC, or Injury Severity Score (average 30) according to closure type. Complications included removal of infected prosthetic mesh in 4 EDAC closure patients (5%). Overall morbidity was lowest (60%) in primary repair patients (p = 0.01). Rates of deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, abdominal wall hematoma, and infection did not differ between groups. Fistula rate was increased with PVH (20%). Two patients with PVH died. PVH and EDAC mesh complications have been minimized in the last 2 years of the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary closure of fascia is ideal but not always possible. Early definitive closure has avoided PVH. Mesh-related complications have decreased with time.

Closing the open abdomen: improved success with Wittmann Patch staged abdominal closure

BACKGROUND

Although the "open abdomen" has likely contributed to improved outcomes in trauma patients, the challenge of subsequent fascial closure has emerged. Since mid 2004, we have incorporated Wittmann Patch staged abdominal closure into our management of the open abdomen. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of this device on our incidence of fascial closure versus planned ventral hernia.

METHODS

Patients managed by open abdomen from 2001 through 2006 were identified from the trauma registry. Fascial closure immediately after definitive repair of injuries was defined as "early fascial closure." Continuation of the open abdomen beyond the definitive repair of injuries with subsequent fascial closure was defined as "delayed fascial closure." Since April 2004, the Wittmann Patch was uniformly employed in open abdomen management. Patients managed before the use of this device ("pre-Patch") were compared with those managed in the "Patch" era.

RESULTS

Fifty-six open abdomens were managed in the pre-Patch era and 103 were managed in the Patch era. In the pre-Patch era, 33 (59%) underwent early fascial closure, compared with 67 (65%) in the Patch era (p NS). For the remaining patients, the incidence of delayed fascial closure was significantly higher in those managed with the Wittmann Patch compared with those managed in the pre-Patch era (78% vs. 30%, p < 0.001). Planned ventral hernia was performed in 8 (8%) patients in the Patch era versus 16 (29%) patients in the pre-Patch era (p < 0.001). Abdominal complications were similar between groups (11% vs. 9%, p NS).

CONCLUSIONS

Incorporating the Wittmann Patch into a clinical pathway for management of the open abdomen has contributed to an increased incidence of delayed fascial closure. Abdominal complications were similar in both groups, suggesting that the device is not only efficacious, but also relatively safe.

Generating elastic, biodegradable polyurethane/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) fibrous sheets with controlled antibiotic release via two-stream electrospinning

Damage control laparotomy is commonly applied to prevent compartment syndrome following trauma but is associated with new risks to the tissue, including infection. To address the need for biomaterials to improve abdominal laparotomy management, we fabricated an elastic, fibrous composite sheet with two distinct submicrometer fiber populations: biodegradable poly(ester urethane) urea (PEUU) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), where the PLGA was loaded with the antibiotic tetracycline hydrochloride (PLGA-tet). A two-stream electrospinning setup was developed to create a uniform blend of PEUU and PLGA-tet fibers. Composite sheets were flexible with breaking strains exceeding 200%, tensile strengths of 5-7 MPa, and high suture retention capacity. The blending of PEUU fibers markedly reduced the shrinkage ratio observed for PLGA-tet sheets in buffer from 50% to 15%, while imparting elastomeric properties to the composites. Antibacterial activity was maintained for composite sheets following incubation in buffer for 7 days at 37 degrees C. In vivo studies demonstrated prevention of abscess formation in a contaminated rat abdominal wall model with the implanted material. These results demonstrate the benefits derivable from a two-stream electrospinning approach wherein mechanical and controlled-release properties are contributed by independent fiber populations and the applicability of this composite material to abdominal wall closure.

Repair of the thoracic wall with an extracellular matrix scaffold in a canine model

Naturally derived extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds have been successfully used to promote constructive remodeling of injured or missing tissue in a variety of anatomical locations, including abdominal wall repair. Furthermore, ECM scaffolds have shown the ability to resist infection and adhesion formation. The present study investigated the utility of an ECM scaffold, specifically, porcine urinary bladder matrix (UBM), for repair of a 5 x 5 cm full-thickness lateral thoracic wall defect in a canine model (n = 6) including 5-cm segments of the 6th and 7th rib. The resected portion of the 7th rib was replaced as an interpositional graft along with the UBM scaffold. As a control, a Gore-Tex patch was used to repair the same defect (n = 2). The control animals healed by encapsulation of the Gore-Tex patch by dense collagenous tissue. The remodeled UBM grafts showed the presence of site-specific tissue, including organized fibrous connective tissue, muscle tissue, adipose tissue, and bone. Upon fluoroscopic examination, it was shown that both bony defects were replaced with new calcified bone. In the 6th rib space, new bone bridged the entire span. In the 7th rib space, there was evidence of bone formation between the interpositional graft and the existing bone, as well as de novo formation of organized bone in the shape of the missing rib segment parallel to the interpositional graft. This study shows that a naturally occurring ECM scaffold promotes site-specific constructive remodeling in a large thoracic wall defect.