Abstract
Aim
Presentation of our data on Vacuum-Assisted Wound Closure and Permanent Onlay Mesh-Mediated Fascial Traction (VAWCPOM) in combination with Botulinum Toxin A (BTX-A) injection in the lateral abdominal wall as a treatment of the open abdomen (OA).
Material and Methods
This is a retrospective case series including patients treated for OA from January 2017 till March 2021 with VAWCPOM and BTX-A. Patient records were collected from medical charts, incl. age, sex, body mass index (BMI), comorbidity, initial fascial defect size, time until fascial closure, complications and, when available, outpatient follow-up.
Results
A total of 33 patients with OA were included. The mean age was 62,5 years, male/female ratio was 15:18, with a mean BMI of 35,4 kg/m2. The mean width of the fascial defect was 13,5 cm (5 - 25cm). The rate of fascial closure was 96,9%, achieved within a mean of 22,7 days. Fascial closure was not attainable in one patient who developed enterocutaneous fistula under treatment. 22 patients experienced in-hospital complications. Short-term follow-up was conducted in 22 patients, with hernia recurrences in three.
Conclusions
Treatment of OA remains a surgical challenge. This case series shows promising results with a high rate of fascial closure using a combination of VAWCPOM and BTX-A and an acceptable rate of postoperative complications in this severely challenging patient group. The rate of primary closure indicates that this may be the future management of open abdomen.