title: Use of dynamic wound closure system in conjunction with vacuum-assisted closure therapy in delayed closure of open abdomen.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Definitive abdominal closure may not be possible for several days or weeks after laparotomy in damage-control surgery, abdominal compartment syndrome and intraabdominal sepsis, until the patient has stabilized. Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC therapy(®), KCI, San Antonio, TX, USA) and abdominal re-approximation anchor system (ABRA, Canica, Almonte, Ontario, Canada) are novel techniques in delayed closure of open abdomen. Our aim is to present the use of these strategies in the management of 7 patients with open abdomen.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between August 2010 and December 2011, 7 patients with severe peritonitis were stabilized by laparotomy and treated with either ABRA system or ABRA system in conjunction with VAC dressing. VAC dressing applied to 4 patients initially and followed by ABRA. ABRA was applied alone to remaining 3 patients. Demographic data and patient characteristics, timing of VAC dressing and ABRA system were recorded. ICU and hospital stay and development of incisional hernia were also recorded. Stage of open abdomen, width of abdominal defect, extent to damage to fascia, and pressure sores were staged.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean duration with VAC dressing before ABRA application was 18 days. The mean duration of ABRA application was 53 days. The average width of the abdominal defect was 18 cm. The average length of defect was 20.8 cm. Delayed primary abdominal closure was accomplished in 6 patients without further surgery. Incisional hernia with a small abdominal defect developed in 2 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abdominal re-approximation anchor system and VAC dressing can be used separately or in conjunction with each other for closure of delayed open abdomen successfully.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Etlik Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, ebru.salman@gmail.com.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Salman
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yetişir
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aksoy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tokaç
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Yildirim
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiliç
mesh_terms: D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000601:surgery*; D058107:Abdominal Wound Closure Techniques; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D046449:Hernia, Abdominal / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013997:Time Factors