title: Intensive care of patients requiring open abdomen treatment: a case-series analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This retrospective overview examines the management of patients with temporary open abdomen (OA).
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical characteristics and intensive care treatment of 34 consecutive patients with OA (1996-2012) were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average age was 61 years, SAPS II score 43, SOFA 8. Two patients had non-contaminated abdomen; 12 had intact gut (only 8 later during stay); 7 repaired gut (only later 4); 13 cutaneous stoma (later 14), and 2 entero-atmospheric fistula (later 8+1 entero-enteral). The median ICU stay was 48 [36-94] days. One quarter of the 2376 ICU-days were classified as severe sepsis/septic shock (antibiotics were given for two thirds of the stay); three quarters were with ventilation; in 95% of days sedatives were given (mainly enterally). Continuous cavity lavage was done in three quarters of days; in 3% of days patients were fasted whereas >20 kcal/kg was given for 74% of days; we fed the gut in 95% of fed-days, in half of them combined with parenteral nutrition. Complications are discussed; mortality was 32.4%, limited to the ICU stay.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intensive care of patients with OA is challenging but can achieve better outcomes than expected. Continuous abdominal lavage improves the evacuation of contaminated fluid or debris and, coupled with antiseptics and low antibiotic pressure, reinforces the control of infection. The gut can be used for nutrition (even without gastrointestinal continuity), and long-term light sedation (mainly enteral) with minimal impact on perfusion, ventilation and gut motility.
authors: Servizio di Anestesia e Rianimazione Polo Universitario San Paolo, Milano, Italy.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Spanu
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Zanforlin
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Noto
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Pezzi
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Marzorati
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Reali-Forster
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Di Mauro
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Bassi
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Oldani
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Destrebecq
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Iapichino
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D003422:Critical Care; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005260:Female; D005751:Gastric Lavage; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018529:Nutritional Support; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012189:Retrospective Studies