title: Abdominal wound dehiscence: a review of 60 cases at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
abstract: A total of 212 cases of abdominal wound dehiscence requiring secondary closure occurred in 8632 surgical obstetric and gynaecological laparotomies over a 7-year period ending in December 1981. The incidence of abdominal wound dehiscence at Ibadan was 2.5%. Contaminated wounds were the most susceptible with an incidence of 19%. A detailed review of 60 cases revealed a mean age of 29 years. Wound infection was the most prominent contributory factor. Tension sutures appeared to be ineffective in preventing wound dehiscence. Following secondary closure, 53% of the patients developed further wound complications, mainly wound infection, incisional hernia and repeat dehiscence. The average duration of hospitalization was 35 days and 7% of the patients died post-operatively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: R O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Senbanjo
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Ajayi
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000150:complications