title: Management of massive abdominal wall defects.
abstract: Patients with acute losses of large portions of the anterior abdominal wall are discussed. Management is divided into the acute or immediate phase in which initial wound control is paramount, and then a subacute period in which coverage with skin is accomplished. Many weeks later during the chronic phase, reconstructive procedures are done if needed. Methods of handling these defects are presented.
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000293:injuries*; D001458:Bandages; D003646:Debridement; D006487:Hemostasis; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000209:etiology; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D008887:Military Medicine; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014946:Wound Infection