title: Primary mass closure of midline incisions with a continuous running monofilament suture in gynecologic patients.
abstract: Over a 42-month period, 210 patients had a lower midline incision, usually extending around the umbilicus, that was closed with a continuous, running number 2 polypropylene suture. Patients in this study had various predisposing factors for wound disruption. Over 60% were operated upon because of gynecologic cancer. Additional high-risk factors included obesity in 56%, diabetes in 28%, previous irradiation or chemotherapy in 17%, and ascites in 8%. The operative procedures performed ranged from hysterectomies with node sampling to bowel resections and exenterations; wound complications were noted in seven patients. One patient had an incisional hernia. No eviscerations occurred. The closure is safe, expedient, and cost-efficient, and distributes tension equally over a continuous line.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Gallup
authors.forename: O E
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Talledo
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D010969:Plastics; D011126:Polypropylenes; D012307:Risk Factors; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D011126:Polypropylenes