title: The open abdomen. The Marlex mesh and zipper technique: a method of managing intraperitoneal infection.
abstract: In conclusion, a zipper technique has been outlined that allows effective continuing drainage of the septic abdomen, permits early diagnosis of organ damage, is rapid and cost effective, minimizes ventilator dependency and gastrointestinal complications, is well tolerated by the patients, and has produced a modest 65 per cent survival rate in the first 34 critically ill patients in whom it was used. Selection of patients is critical. It is a technique that must not be undertaken lightly but that appears to have life-saving potential.
authors.affiliation: General Surgery, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chiasson
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hedderich
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wexler
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Meakins
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000601:surgery*; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013536:Suture Techniques; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation