title: The use of Marlex mesh in patients with generalized peritonitis and multiple organ system failure.
abstract: Patients with generalized peritonitis form a rather threatened group, with a high mortality and risk of complications which increases when multiple organ failure develops. In 20 patients with this condition, the laparotomy wound was closed without tension using a Marlex mesh prosthesis, after surgical treatment of the underlying illness and drainage of the abdominal cavity. The mortality was lower than expected, according to data from the literature; also, pulmonary complications, residual abscesses and wound dehiscence occurred less frequently. This method seems to be a valuable contribution to the complex treatment of these patients.
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004322:Drainage; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012086:Reoperation; D013526:Surgical Mesh / Q000009:adverse effects; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology