MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME OF ABDOMINAL WALL CLOSURE IN EMERGENCY LAPAROTOMY AT A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Objective: Abdominal wall closure of an emergency laparotomy involves a great deal of consideration. An ideal laparotomy wound closure should be efficient. provide strength and serve as a barrier to infection. The aim of this study is to compare and evaluate the advantages of layered closure in comparison with the mass layered closure, the types of suture materials used in the closure, absorbable/nonabsorbable and its correlation with post operative complications such as wound sepsis, burst abdomen and incisional hernia. Methods: This prospective study was carried out over a period of 18 months enrolling a total of 90 patients split into two groups with group 1 undergoing mass closure using both interrupted and continuous methods and group 2 undergoing layered closure using both interrupted and continuous methods of suturing. Results: A higher rate of wound complications was noted in the layered closure group (37.7%) than the mass closure group (17%). Wound complications were also noted to be higher in closures done with prolene suture (37.7%) than PDS (20%). As far as techniques were concerned, interrupted and continuous suturing had a similar rate of complications. Of all the comorbidities, considered in the study, the highest rate of wound related complications were seen in patients with pulmonary complications (13.3%). Conclusion: Although the ideal way to close an abdomen post laparotomy has not yet been discovered, our study shows that mass closure with PDS suture to close the abdominal wall should be advocated as there is decreased early and late post operative wound complications Keywords: PDS.

O36 LOD (LOSS-OF-DOMAIN) HERNIA TREATMENT WITH INTRAOPERATIVE FASCIA TRACTION. DOES THIS TECHNIQUE MAKE RELEASE OPERATIONS SUPERFLUOUS?

Aim Measurable and controlled stretching of the fascia for 30 minutes during surgery to achieve primary tension-free abdominal wall closure in LOD hernias. This prospective observational study aimed to clarify the extent to which this traction method can function as an alternative to component separation methods. Material and Methods We have already applied this technique in > 50 procedures of LOD hernias. We published the data of first 21 patients treated with intraoperative fascia stretching in seven specialized hernia centers between November 2019 and August 2020. The average patient age was 58 years with a gender ratio of 2.5 males: 1 female. ASA scores were III in 66.7% and II in 33.3%. The body mass index (BMI) averaged 32.5 kg/m2. Thirteen patients were treated with BTA 4 weeks before surgery. Results Intraoperatively-measured fascial distance averaged 17.3 cm (range 8.5–44 cm). After application of diagonal-anterior traction >10 kg for an average duration of 32.3 min (range 30–40 min), the fascial distance decreased by 9.8 cm (1–26 cm) to an average 7.5 cm (range 2–19 cm), which is a large effect (r = 0.62). The fascial length increase (average 9.8 cm) after applied traction was highly significant. All hernias were closed under moderate tension after the traction phase. In 19 patients, this closure was reinforced with mesh using a sublay technique. Conclusions This method allows primary closure of complex LOD hernias and is potentially less prone to complications than component separation methods.

Incidence of surgical procedures for gastrointestinal complications after abdominal wall closure in patients with gastroschisis and omphalocele

Purpose This study aims to define the extent of additional surgical procedures after abdominal wall closure (AWC) in patients with gastroschisis (GS) and omphalocele (OC) with special focus on gastrointestinal related operations. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed including all operations in GS and OC patients in the first year after AWC (2010–2019). The risk for surgery was calculated using the one-year cumulative incidence (CI). Results 33 GS patients (18 simple GS, 15 complex) and 24 OC patients (12 without (= OCL), 12 OC patients with liver protrusion (= OCL +)) were eligible for analysis. 43 secondary operations (23 in GS, 20 in OC patients) occurred after a median time of 84 days (16–824) in GS and 114.5 days (12–4368) in OC. Patients with complex versus simple GS had a significantly higher risk of undergoing a secondary operation (one-year CI 64.3% vs. 24.4%; p = 0.05). 86.5% of surgical procedures in complex GS and 36.3% in OCL + were related to gastrointestinal complications. Complex GS had a significantly higher risk for GI-related surgery than simple GS. Bowel obstruction was a risk factor for surgery in complex GS (one-year CI 35.7%). Conclusion Complex GS and OCL + patients had the highest risk of undergoing secondary operations, especially those with gastrointestinal complications.

Incisional Hernia: A Prospective Study

An incisional hernia is being a universal problem and topic of discussion worldwide. There is no clear-cut guideline of abdominal wall closure after major abdominal surgeries that can effectively prevent the occurrence of incisional hernia. We found out that most of the patients presented with pain over previous surgery scar with swelling. The defect was usually larger than 2 cm. Most postoperative patients complaint of pain, seroma, and hematoma formation. There was a minimal recurrence rate after onlay mesh repair in our setup.

Chemotherapy and Abdominal Wall Closure Technique Increase the Probability of Postoperative Ventral Incisional Hernia in Patients With Colon Cancer

Background Chemotherapy is associated with postoperative ventral incisional hernia (PVIH) after right hemicolectomy (RHC) for colon cancer, and abdominal wall closure technique may affect PVIH. We sought to identify clinical predictors of PVIH. Methods We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent RHC for colon cancer from 2008-2018 and later developed PVIH. Time to PVIH was analyzed with Kaplan-Meier analysis, clinical predictors were identified with multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling, and the probability of PVIH given chemotherapy and the suture technique was estimated with Bayesian analysis. Results We identified 399 patients (209 no adjuvant chemotherapy and 190 adjuvant chemotherapy), with an overall PVIH rate of 38%. The 5-year PVIH rate was 55% for adjuvant chemotherapy, compared with 38% for none (log-rank P < .05). Adjuvant chemotherapy (hazard ratio [HR] 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-2.31, P < .01), age (HR .99, 95% CI .97-1.00, P < .01), body mass index (HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.04, P < .01), and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (HR 1.92, 95% CI 1.21-3.00, P < .01) were independently associated with PVIH. Postoperative ventral incisional hernia was more common overall in patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy (46% compared with 30%, P < .01). In patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy, the probability of PVIH for incision closure with #1 running looped polydioxanone was 42%, compared with 59% for incision closure with #0 single interrupted polyglactin 910. Discussion Exposure to chemotherapy increases the probability of PVIH after RHC, and non–short stitch incision closure further increases this probability, more so than age or body mass index. The suture technique deserves further study as a modifiable factor in this high-risk population.

Abdominal Wall Defects—Current Treatments

Gastroschisis and omphalocele reflect the two most common abdominal wall defects in newborns. First postnatal care consists of defect coverage, avoidance of fluid and heat loss, fluid administration and gastric decompression. Definitive treatment is achieved by defect reduction and abdominal wall closure. Different techniques and timings are used depending on type and size of defect, the abdominal domain and comorbidities of the child. The present review aims to provide an overview of current treatments.