title: Components separation technique is feasible for assisting delayed primary fascial closure of open abdomen.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal after open abdomen treatment is to reach primary fascial closure. Modern negative pressure wound therapy systems are sometimes inefficient for this purpose. This retrospective chart analysis describes the use of the 'components separation' method in facilitating primary fascial closure after open abdomen.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 16 consecutive critically ill surgical patients treated with components separation during open abdomen management were analyzed. No patients were excluded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Primary fascial closure was achieved in 75% (12/16). Components separation was performed during ongoing open abdomen treatment in 7 patients and at the time of delayed primary fascial closure in 9 patients. Of the former, 3/7 (43%) patients reached primary fascial closure, whereas all 9 patients in the latter group had successful fascial closure without major complications (p = 0.019).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Components separation is a useful method in contributing to successful primary fascial closure in patients treated for open abdomen. Best results were obtained when components separation was performed simultaneously with primary fascial closure at the end of the open abdomen treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Abdominal Surgery, Jorvi Hospital, Espoo, Finland rasilainensuvi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Rasilainen
authors.affiliation: Department of Abdominal Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Mentula
authors.affiliation: Department of Abdominal Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Leppäniemi
mesh_terms: D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000601:surgery*; D058107:Abdominal Wound Closure Techniques; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016638:Critical Illness; D005205:Fascia; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Open abdomen; abdominal compartment syndrome; components separation; primary fascial closure; temporary abdominal closure; vacuum-assisted wound closure