title: [Incision and closure of the abdominal wall].
abstract: Access to the abdominal cavity must be performed in such a way that surgical treatment procedures can be performed safely. For skin incision, scalpel and electrocautery are equivalent. Subcutaneous tissue and fascias must be divided by electrocautery to minimize blood loss. The best way to close the abdominal cavity is by an all layer, slowly absorbable, running suture with a suture: wound length ratio of at least 4:1. Closing the peritoneal layer is not necessary. Subcutaneous sutures and drains do not reduce the risk of wound complications. Staples should be used for closing the skin.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Allgemeine, Viszeral-, Gefäss- und Kinderchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, 66421 Homburg/Saar. chmbol@uniklinikum-saarland.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bolli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schilling
mesh_terms: D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000601:surgery*; D004210:Dissection; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D006801:Humans; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology