title: Role of the Open Abdomen in Critically Ill Patients.
abstract: An open abdomen is common used in critically ill patients to temporize permanent abdominal closure. The most common reason for leaving the abdomen open by reopening a laparotomy, not closing, or creating a fresh laparotomy is the abdominal compartment syndrome. The open abdomen technique is also used in damage control operations and intra-abdominal sepsis. Negative pressure wound therapy may be associated with better outcomes than other temporary abdominal closure techniques. The open abdomen is associated with many early and late complications, including infections, gastrointestinal fistulas, and ventral hernias. Clinicians should be vigilant regarding the development of these complications.
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma Surgery and Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
authors.forename: Marshall
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beckman
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma Surgery and Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
authors.forename: Jasmeet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma Surgery and Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
authors.forename: Todd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Neideen
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma Surgery and Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. Electronic address: jweigelt@mcw.edu.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Weigelt
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D058107:Abdominal Wound Closure Techniques; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D059325:Intra-Abdominal Hypertension / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Abdominal compartment syndrome; Damage control surgery; Intra-abdominal infections; Negative pressure wound therapy; Open abdomen; Retroperitoneal Hemorrhage; Temporary abdominal closure