Preventing loss of domain: a management strategy for closure of the "open abdomen" during the initial hospitalization.
BACKGROUND
In the management of the abdominal compartment syndrome resulting in an open abdomen, the so-called "planned ventral hernia" is considered an acceptable outcome. We describe a technique of surgical management of the abdominal wound that allows fascial closure in most cases during the initial admission.


METHODS
Consecutive trauma patients with abdominal compartment syndrome managed with an open abdomen over a 3-year period were identified. Medical records and the trauma data registry were reviewed for demographics, injury characteristics, operative treatment, timing and type of wound management, closure of the abdomen, and outcome.


RESULTS
From January 2004 to January 2007, 23 patients underwent management with an open abdomen. The mechanism of injury was blunt in 83% of patients and penetrating in 17%. All 18 survivors underwent primary fascial closure of the abdomen using a vacuum- and tie-assisted technique of wound closure. The mean time to closure was 11 +/- 4.4 days (range, 4-18 days). In all, 9 complications occurred in 7 patients, which included 1 reoperation for abscess after fascial closure. There was no dehiscence and no fistula. The Apache II score was 19.3 +/- 6.9 (range, 7-30), and the injury severity score was 32.3 + 10.6 (range, 9-50).


CONCLUSIONS
A technique of managing the open abdomen that prevents fascial retraction results in a high primary closure rate with an acceptable rate of short-term complications.
Koss
Wega
W
Department of Surgery, Divisions of Surgical Critical Care and Trauma, John, A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, USA. koss@hawaii.edu
Ho
Hao C
HC
Yu
Mihae
M
Edwards
Kurt
K
Ghows
Mona
M
Tan
Andrew
A
Takanishi
Danny M
DM
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000601:surgery*; D000071938:Fasciotomy; D005260:Female; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014618:Vacuum