O32 TREATMENT OF FASCIAL DEHISCENCE IS IMPROVED BY MESH REINFORCEMENT

Aim In 2014 fascial dehiscence (FD) was treated with re-suturing the fascia as the only measure in half of the cases at our institution, with discouraging re-rupture and incisional hernia (IH) rates. A changing path away from fascia closure (FC) by re-suturing solely towards reinforcement of the closed fascia is now evaluated. Material and Methods Retrospective chart review of consecutive patients operated for FD 2016-2020. Available CT scans were scrutinized for IH. Results 58 patients (14 women) with a mean age of 71 years and a mean BMI of 27.3 were treated with: FC by re-suturing as the only measure (n = 1, 1.7%); FC preceded by a reinforced tension line (RTL) suture (n = 9, 15.5%); FC and on-lay mesh reinforcement (n = 23, 39.7%); retromuscular mesh closure (n = 10, 17.2%); open abdomen treatment with retromuscular mesh reconstruction (n = 1, 1.7%); and, open abdomen treatment with vacuum assisted wound closure and permanent on-lay mesh-mediated fascial traction (VAWCPOM) (n = 14, 24.1%). One patient in the RTL-group suffered a re-rupture (1.7%). The in-hospital mortality was 5%. Wound healing problems were seen in 29 (51.9%) patients. IH was evaluable in 49 patients with a total incidence of 22.4% at mean follow-up of 21 months. The hernia incidence for mesh reinforced or reconstructed patients was 17.5% compared to 44.4% in re-sutured or RTL patients. Conclusions FD treatment with mesh reinforced FC prevented re-rupture and resulted in a lower rate of IH. Additional standardization and refining the mesh techniques may further improve results.

O10 REINFORCED TENSION LINE SUTURE RESULTS IN LOW INCISIONAL HERNIA RATE AFTER CRS/HIPEC OPERATIONS

Aim Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for peritoneal carcinomatosis entails several risk factors for incisional hernia (IH). At our institution fascia closure has been performed in a 4:1 manner with a 2-0 polydiaxanone suture (the PDS-group) or a 2-0 polypropylene preceded by a reinforced tension line (RTL) suture (the RTL-group). Our hypothesis was that reinforcing the suture line results in fewer IH at one year. Material and Methods Single-center retrospective study on primary CRS/HIPEC 2004-2019. CT-diagnosed IH one year ±3 months postoperative. Additional data retrieved from clinical records and a prospective CRS/HIPEC database. Results Of 193 patients, 63 were not evaluable for IH of which two, both in the PDS-group, were reoperated for fascial dehiscence (FD). 130 patients; 83 (45 women) in the PDS- and 47 (23 women) in the RTL-group, mean age 57 years (19-77) remained. RTL-patients were five years younger (54 vs 59), had a higher Karnofsky index and less bleeding (807 vs 1409 mL). No differences regarding sex, BMI, recent midline incisions, excision of midline scars, peritoneal cancer index score, complications (Clavien-Dindo 3b or higher), neo-adjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy were found. Twelve IH (9%) were found, 11 (13%) in the PDS- and 1 (2%) in the RTL-group (p = 0.055). Conclusions Despite many potential IH risk factors, the overall IH-incidences do not seem higher than after laparotomies in general. The RTL-group showed 2% IH compared to 13% in the PDS-group. The PDS-group were further burdened by two FD. The results are clinically relevant, suggesting an advantage with RTL-closure for these patients.

Delayed primary fascia closure of Björck grade 4 open abdomen with enteroatmospheric fistulas after repeated surgery for adhesive small bowel obstruction: a case report

Background An open abdomen with frozen adherent bowels is classified as grade 4 in Björck’s open abdomen classification, and skin grafting after wound granulation is a typical closure option. We achieved delayed primary fascia closure for a patient who developed open abdomen with enteroatmospheric fistulas due to severe adherent small bowel obstruction. We present here the details of his management. Case presentation A 52-year-old man suffered acute abdominal pain during a flight and received an emergency laparotomy due to adhesive small bowel obstruction. Repeated laparotomies were required, and later open abdomen and proximal site jejunostomy were selected. After negative pressure wound therapy, he was transferred to our institution. Two enteroatmospheric fistulas emerged on the exposed intestine, and we diagnosed the condition as a Björck grade 4 open abdomen. After 8 months of wound care and parenteral nutrition, we decided to attempt primary wound closure because the patient required permanent oral restriction and total parenteral nutrition due to short bowel syndrome. A circular incision along the circumference of the exposed bowel allowed us to take a safe approach into the abdominal cavity. We removed the intestinal adhesions completely and resected the bowels, including the fistulas and anastomosed parts. Finally, the abdominal wall defect was reconstructed using the component separation technique, and the patient was discharged without an ostomy. Conclusions Primary fascia closure for grade 4 open abdomen is hard, but leaving a long interval before radical surgery and applying pertinent wound management may help solve this adverse situation.

Lessons Learned in 11 Years of Experience With Open Abdomen Treatment With Negative-Pressure Therapy for Various Abdominal Emergencies

Introduction: Open abdomen (OA) treatment with negative-pressure therapy (NPT) was initiated for perforated diverticulitis and subsequently extended to other abdominal emergencies. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the indications, procedures, duration of NPT, and the outcomes of all our patients.Methods: All consecutive patients treated with intra-abdominal NPT from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.Results: A total of 438 patients (44% females) with a median (range) age of 66 (12–94) years, BMI of 25 (14–48) kg/m2, and ASA class I, II, III, and IV scores of 36 (13%), 239 (55%), 95 (22%), and 3(1%), respectively, were treated with NPT. The indication for surgery was primary bowel perforation in 163 (37%), mesenteric ischemia in 53 (12%), anastomotic leakage in 53 (12%), ileus in 53 (12%), postoperative bowel perforation/leakage in 32 (7%), abdominal compartment in 15 (3%), pancreatic fistula in 13 (3%), gastric perforation in 13 (3%), secondary peritonitis in 11 (3%), burst abdomen in nine (2%), biliary leakage in eight (2%), and other in 15 (3%) patients. A damage control operation without reconstruction in the initial procedure was performed in 164 (37%) patients. The duration of hospital and intensive care stay were, median (range), 28 (0–278) and 4 (0–214) days. The median (range) duration of operation was 109 (22–433) min and of NPT was 3(0–33) days. A trend to shorter duration of NPT was observed over time and in the colonic perforation group. The mean operating time was shorter when only blind ends were left in situ, namely 110 vs. 133 min (p = 0.006). The mortality rates were 14% at 30 days, 21% at 90 days, and 31% at 1 year. An entero-atmospheric fistula was observed in five (1%) cases, most recently in 2014. Direct fascia closure was possible in 417 (95%) patients at the end of NPT, but least often (67%, p = 0.00) in patients with burst abdomen. During follow-up, hernia repair was observed in 52 (24%) of the surviving patients.Conclusion: Open abdomen treatment with NPT is a promising concept for various abdominal emergencies, especially when treated outside normal working hours. A low rate of entero-atmospheric fistula formation and a high rate of direct fascia closure were achieved with dynamic approximation of the fascia edges. The authors recommend an early-in and early-out strategy as the prolongation of NPT by more than 1 week ends up in a frozen abdomen and does not improve abdominal sepsis.

The impact of different suturing techniques for abdominal fascia closure on the Interleukin-6 expressions in Rattus norvegicus

Objective Incisional hernia is a frequent complication of midline laparotomy. The suturing technique is an important determinant of the risk of developing an incisional hernia. Moreover, IL-6 has crucial roles in the wound-healing process. We aimed to compare the large stitch vs. small stitch technique for abdominal fascial closure on IL-6 expressions in rats. Results Twenty rats were used. The small stitch group received small tissue bites of 5 mm and the large stitch group received large bites of 10 mm. The incisions of fascia were closed by running sutures. Animals were euthanized on days 4 and 7. Histological sections of the tissue-embedded sutures were analyzed for IL-6 expressions. Two-way ANOVA showed that rats in the small stitch group had similar IL-6 expressions on days 4 and 7 to those in the large stitch group (p = 0.36). In conclusion, the IL-6 expressions are similar between the small and the large stitch groups, implying that different suturing techniques might not have an impact on the incisional hernia occurrence.

Skin and subcutaneous fascia closure at caesarean section to reduce wound complications: the closure randomised trial

Background Wound infection is a common complication following caesarean section. Factors influencing the risk of infection may include the suture material for skin closure, and closure of the subcutaneous fascia. We assessed the effect of skin closure with absorbable versus non-absorbable suture, and closure versus non-closure of the subcutaneous fascia on risk of wound infection following Caesarean section. Methods Women undergoing caesarean birth at an Adelaide maternity hospital were eligible for recruitment to a randomised trial using a 2 × 2 factorial design. Women were randomised to either closure or non-closure of the subcutaneous fascia and to subcuticular skin closure with an absorbable or non-absorbable suture. Participants were randomised to each of the two interventions into one of 4 possible groups: Group 1 - non-absorbable skin suture and non-closure of the subcutaneous fascia; Group 2 - absorbable skin suture and non-closure of the subcutaneous fascia; Group 3 - non-absorbable skin suture and closure of the subcutaneous fascia; and Group 4 - absorbable skin suture and closure of the subcutaneous fascia. The primary outcomes were reported wound infection and wound haematoma or seroma within the first 30 days after birth. Results A total of 851 women were recruited and randomised, with 849 women included in the analyses (Group 1: 216 women; Group 2: 212 women; Group 3: 212 women; Group 4: 211 women). In women who underwent fascia closure, there was a statistically significant increase in risk of wound infection within 30 days post-operatively for those who had skin closure with an absorbable suture (Group 4), compared with women who had skin closure with a non-absorbable suture (Group 3) (adjusted RR 2.17; 95% CI 1.05, 4.45; p = 0.035). There was no significant difference in risk of wound infection for absorbable vs non-absorbable sutures in women who did not undergo fascia closure. Conclusion The combination of subcutaneous fascia closure and skin closure with an absorbable suture may be associated with an increased risk of reported wound infection after caesarean section. Trial registration Prospectively registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, number ACTRN12608000143325, on the 20th March, 2008.

Postoperative and Adjunctive Wound Care

Wounds are a major source of complications in surgery, but many can be avoided by using a sound, evidence-based approach to wound care. Preoperative considerations are discussed and include smoking cessation, glycemic control, weight loss, and adequate nutritional intake. Intraoperative considerations are presented and include proper classification of surgical wounds, hyperoxia and warming, and fascia closure techniques. Postoperative considerations that are presented include recognizing both early and late fascia complications, understanding skin closure techniques, and using adjuncts to postoperative wound management. This review contains 7 figures, 24 tables, and 67 references. Keywords: Surgical site infection, infection, closure, suture, negative pressure wound therapy, open abdomen, mesh, surgery, granulation tissue