Use of topical negative pressure in assisted abdominal closure does not lead to high incidence of enteric fistulae.
OBJECTIVE
Reports suggested an increase in enterocutaneous fistulae with topical negative pressure (TNP) use in the open abdomen. The purpose of this study was to establish if our experience raises similar concerns.


METHODS
This is a 5-year prospective analysis, from January 2004 to December 2008, of 42 patients who developed deep wound dehiscence or their abdomen was left open at laparotomy requiring 'TNP' to assist in their management. The decision to use TNP was taken if it was felt unwise or not feasible to close the abdomen.


RESULTS
There were 22 men; the median age was 68 (range 21-88) years. Twenty of 42 patients had peritonitis, 5/42 had oedematous bowel, 5/42 ischaemic gut, one had a large abdominal wall defect following debridement due to methicillin-resistant staphyloccus (MRSA) infection, 11/42 developed deep wound dehiscence. In 30/42, VAC abdominal dressing system and TNP were applied. In 12/42, VAC GranuFoam and TNP were used, of these five patients required a mesh to control the oedematous bowel. Four of 42 patients died. A total of 34 patients had anastomotic lines, 2/42 developed enteric fistulae, and both survived.


CONCLUSIONS
This study does not support the reports suggesting a higher fistulae rate with TNP. In our opinion, its use in the open abdomen is safe.
Shaikh
I A
IA
Department of Surgery, Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline, UK.
Ballard-Wilson
A
A
Yalamarthi
S
S
Amin
A I
AI
D058107:Abdominal Wound Closure Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult