title: Negative pressure wound therapy management of the "open abdomen" following trauma: a prospective study and systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) for temporary abdominal closure of open abdomen (OA) wounds is widely accepted. Published outcomes vary according to the specific nature and the aetiology that resulted in an OA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new NPWT system specifically used OA resulting from abdominal trauma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study on trauma patients requiring temporary abdominal closure (TAC) with grade 1or 2 OA was carried out. All patients were treated with NPWT (RENASYS AB Smith & Nephew) to achieve TAC. The primary outcome measure was time taken to achieve fascial closure and secondary outcomes were complications and mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 20 patients were included. Thirteen patients (65%) achieved fascial closure following a median treatment period of 3 days. Four patients (20%) died of causes unrelated to NPWT. Complications included fistula formation in one patient (5%) with spontaneous resolution during NPWT), bowel necrosis in a single patient (5%) and three cases of infection (15%). No fistulae were present at the end of NPWT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new NPWT kit is safe and effective and results in a high rate of fascial closure and low complication rates in the severely injured trauma patient.
authors.affiliation: Smith & Nephew, 101 Hessle Road, Hull, HU3 2BN, UK. jennifer.smith@smith-nephew.com.
authors.forename: Pradeep
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Navsaria
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nicol
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cockwill
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smith