Anatomical, physiological, and logistical indications for the open abdomen: a proposal for a new classification system

Open abdomen versus primary closure in nontrauma patients: A weighted analysis of a single-center experience

INTRODUCTION

The open abdomen (OA) technique is nowadays a worldwide strategy both for trauma and emergency general surgery. Despite the attempt at conducting prospective studies, a high level of evidence is far from established. The aim of this study was to investigate if we overused this strategy and if it improved the postoperative course of our patients.

METHODS

Emergency laparotomies from 2017 and 2023 were reviewed and stratified according to OA and closed abdomen (CA). Differences were balanced by inverse probability weighting, and the 90-day mortality was estimated. Subgroup analysis was carried out for patients with a Mannheim Peritonitis Index (MPI) of >26, bowel obstruction, bowel ischemia (BI) and gastrointestinal perforation.

RESULTS

Of the 320 patients, 167 were CA and 153 were OA. Groups were different for American Society of Anesthesiologists, comorbidities, transfusion rate, Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the Study of Mortality and Morbidity score, MPI, Clinical Frailty Scale score, diagnosis, and resection. Two balanced pseudo-populations were created. The 90-day survival rate was 50.8% for CA and 60.8% for OA (hazard ratio [HR], 0.79; confidence interval [CI], 0.40-1.55; p = 0.502). At the Cox regression, the Clinical Frailty Scale score (HR, 1.125; 95% CI, 1.01-1.25; p = 0.033) and BI (HR, 5.531; 95% CI, 2.37-12.89; p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for mortality. Transfusion rate (odds ratio [OR], 3.44; 95% CI, 1.44-8.23; p < 0.006) and length of stay in the intensive care unit (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.07-1.20; p < 0.001) were associated with major complications. Open abdomen did not modify mortality in the case of bowel obstruction, MPI >26, or gastrointestinal perforation. Finally, OA (HR, 0.056; 95% CI, 0.01-0.22; p = 0.001) and large bowel resection (HR, 6.442; 95% CI, 1.28-32.31; p = 0.040) were predictors of longer survival in the subgroup of patients with BI.

CONCLUSION

Open abdomen was not associated with a higher complication rate or higher mortality but did result in a longer in-hospital stay. The only setting where OA seemed to be advantageous was in the BI population.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level III.

CT imaging of clinically significant abdominopelvic injuries in the damage control surgery patient

PURPOSE

Damage Control Surgery (DCS) refers to a staged laparotomy performed in patients who have suffered severe blunt or penetrating abdominopelvic trauma with the goal of managing critical injuries while avoiding life threatening metabolic derangements. Within 24 h of the initial laparotomy, computed tomography (CT) is used to assess the full extent of injuries. The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of clinically significant unknown abdominopelvic injuries which required further dedicated surgical or interventional radiology management and failed surgical repairs identified on CT following initial laparotomy.

METHODS

CT findings were correlated with surgical findings from the initial and subsequent staged laparotomy to determine known and unknown injuries. Frequency and percentage analyses was performed.

RESULTS

Out of 63 patients who underwent DCS with an open abdomen following initial laparotomy and subsequent CT within 24 h, a total of 13 clinically significant abdominopelvic injuries were identified in 12 patients. Seven clinically significant injuries were identified in seven patients (11.1% of patients) in surgically explored areas. Six clinically significant injuries were identified in six patients (9.5%) in surgically unexplored areas. Four instances of failed initial surgical repair were identified in four patients (6.3%) involving the liver and gastrointestinal tract. Overall, 23.8% of the DCS patient population had an actionable finding on the post laparotomy CT.

CONCLUSION

CT demonstrated value for identifying the extent of clinically significant abdominopelvic injuries and evidence of failed initial surgical repair, which informed surgical planning for subsequent laparotomy. The authors advocate for performing CT in post-DCS patients with an open abdomen as soon as possible following correction of metabolic and hemodynamic derangements.

The Open Abdomen After Intra-Abdominal Contamination in Emergency General Surgery

INTRODUCTION

Delayed fascial closure (DFC) is an increasingly utilized technique in emergency general surgery (EGS), despite a lack of data regarding its benefits. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of DFC versus immediate fascial closure (IFC) in EGS patients with intra-abdominal contamination.

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted using the 2013-2020 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Adult EGS patients who underwent an exploratory laparotomy with intra-abdominal contamination [wound classification III (contaminated) or IV (dirty)] were included. Patients with agreed upon indications for DFC were excluded. A propensity-matched analysis was performed. The primary outcome was 30-d mortality.

RESULTS

We identified 36,974 eligible patients. 16.8% underwent DFC, of which 51.7% were female, and the median age was 64 y. After matching, there were 6213 pairs. DFC was associated with a higher risk of mortality (15.8% versus 14.2%, P = 0.016), pneumonia (11.7% versus 10.1%, P = 0.007), pulmonary embolism (1.9% versus 1.6%, P = 0.03), and longer hospital stay (11 versus 10 d, P < 0.001). No significant differences in postoperative sepsis and deep surgical site infection rates between the two groups were observed. Subgroup analyses by preoperative diagnosis (diverticulitis, perforation, and undifferentiated sepsis) showed that DFC was associated with longer hospital stay in all subgroups, with a higher mortality rate in patients with diverticulitis (8.1% versus 6.1%, P = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

In the presence of intra-abdominal contamination, DFC is associated with longer hospital stay and higher rates of mortality and morbidity. DFC was not associated with decreased risk of infectious complications. Further studies are needed to clearly define the indications of DFC.

Damage Control Surgery and Transfer in Emergency General Surgery

Selective non traumatic emergency surgery patients are targets for damage control surgery (DCS) to prevent or treat abdominal compartment syndrome and the lethal triad. However, DCS is still a subject of controversy. As a concept, DCS describes a series of abbreviated surgical procedures to allow rapid source control of hemorrhage and contamination in patients with circulatory shock to allow resuscitation and stabilization in the intensive care unit followed by delayed return to the operating room for definitive surgical management once the patient becomes physiologic stable. If appropriately applied, the DCS morbidity and mortality can be significantly reduced.

Managing the Open Abdomen in Damage Control Surgery: Should Skin-Only Closure be Abandoned?

During damage control laparotomy, surgery is abbreviated to allow for the correction of physiologic disturbances, with a plan to return to the operating theatre for definitive surgical repair. Re-entry into the abdomen is facilitated by temporary abdominal closure (TAC). Skin-only closure is one of the many techniques described for TAC Numerous sources advise against the use of this technique because of the risk of complications. This case report describes the use of skin-only closure during a damage control laparotomy. We reviewed the literature surrounding the various options for TAC to elucidate the potential role of skin-only closure after damage control laparotomy.

Superior primary fascial closure rate and lower mortality after open abdomen using negative pressure wound therapy with continuous fascial traction

BACKGROUND

Open abdomen (OA) is a useful option for treatment strategy in many acute abdominal catastrophes. A number of temporary abdominal closure (TAC) methods are used with limited number of comparative studies. The present study was done to examine risk factors for failed delayed primary fascial closure (DPFC) and risk factors for mortality in patients treated with OA.

METHODS

This study was a multicenter retrospective analysis of the hospital records of all consecutive patients treated with OA during the years 2009 to 2016 at five tertiary referral hospitals and three secondary referral centers in Finland.

RESULTS

Six hundred seventy-six patients treated with OA were included in the study. Vacuum-assisted closure with continuous mesh-mediated fascial traction (VACM) was the most popular TAC method used (N = 398, 59%) followed by VAC (N = 128, 19%), Bogota bag (N = 128, 19%), and self-designed methods (N = 22, 3%). In multivariate analysis, enteroatmospheric fistula and the number of needed TAC changes increased the risk for failed DPFC (odds ratio [OR], 8.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.2-12.8; p < 0.001 and OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0-1.3; p < 0.001, respectively). Instead, VACM and ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm as cause for OA both decreased the risk for failed DPFC (OR, 0.1; 95% CI, 0.0-0.3; p < 0.001 and OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1-0.7; p = 0.012). The overall mortality rate was 30%. In multivariate analysis for mortality, multiorgan dysfunction (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.6-3.6; p < 0.001), and increasing age (OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 2.0-9.7; p < 0.001) predicted increased mortality. Institutional large annual patient volume (OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.3-0.6; p < 0.001) and ileus and postoperative peritonitis in comparison to severe acute pancreatitis associated with decreased mortality (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1-0.4; p < 0.001; OR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3-0.8; p = 0.009). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed increased survival in patients treated with VACM in comparison with other TAC methods (LogRank p = 0.019).

CONCLUSION

We report superior role for VACM methodology in terms of successful primary fascial closure and increased survival in patients with OA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/care management, level IV.

New non-invasive device to promote primary closure of the fascia and prevent loss of domain in the open abdomen: a pilot study

Background

Primary closure of the fascia at the conclusion of a stage laparotomy can be a challenging task. Current techniques to medialize the fascial edges in open abdomens entail several trips to the operating room and could result in fascial damage. We conducted a pilot study to investigate a novel non-invasive device for gradual reapproximation of the abdominal wall fascia in the open abdomen.

Methods

Mechanically ventilated patients ≥16 years of age with the abdominal fascia deliberately left open after a midline laparotomy for trauma and acute care surgery were randomized into two groups. Control group patients underwent standard care with negative pressure therapy only. Device group patients were treated with negative pressure therapy in conjunction with the new device for fascial reapproximation. Exclusion criteria: pregnancy, traumatic hernias, pre-existing ventral hernias, burns, and body mass index ≥40 kg/m². The primary outcome was successful fascial closure by direct suture of the fascia without mesh or component separation. Secondary outcomes were abdominal wall complications.

Results

Thirty-eight patients were investigated, 20 in the device group and 18 in the control group. Primary closure of the fascia by direct suture without mesh or component separation was achieved in 17 patients (85%) in the device group and only 10 patients (55.6%) in the control group (p=0.0457). Device group patients were 53% more likely to experience primary fascial closure by direct suture than control group patients. Device group showed gradual reduction (p<0.005) in the size of the fascial defects; not seen in control group. There were no complications related to the device.

Conclusions

The new device applied externally on the abdominal wall promoted reapproximation of the fascia in the midline, preserved the integrity of the fascia, and improved primary fascial closure rate compared with negative pressure therapy system only.

Level of evidence

I, randomized controlled trial.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy with Instillation in the Septic Open Abdomen Utilizing a Modified Negative Pressure Therapy System

BACKGROUND

Various treatment modalities are utilized to treat the open abdomen. The use of negative pressure wound therapy(NPWT)has been a great advancement and has become the preferred modality for temporary abdominal closure technique (TAC). Programmed instillation of the abdominal cavity with saline solution in conjunction with a commercial negative pressure system showed positive results in the management of severe abdominal sepsis in patients that were treated with an open abdomen. Severe abdominal sepsis continues to be an oftendifficult clinical problem for the general surgeon. The use of an open abdomen technique in this setting and the ideal TAC method continue to be debated. The failure to understand the biomechanical features/limitations of negative pressure devices are often contributing factors associated with therapeutic failures reported in the literature.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the underlying principles behind negative pressure wound therapy with instillation in the context of abdominal sepsis, as well as its optimal usage in these conditions.

METHODS

A systematic review and two retrospective cohort studies, both published and unpublished performed by some of the authors were included to provide a basis form comparison between NPWT and NPWT-I outcomes in managing abdominal sepsis.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that this technique appears to reduce morbidity, mortality, and hospital and critical care length of stay. This communication is intended to help inform general surgeons that manage complex abdominal infections on how to optimally apply this technique.

The open abdomen: analysis of risk factors for mortality and delayed fascial closure in 101 patients

Introduction

The core concepts of damage control and open abdomen in trauma surgery have been expanding for emergent general surgery. Temporary closures allow ease of access to the abdominal cavity for source control.The aim of the current study was to assess the outcomes of patients who underwent open abdomen management for acute abdominal conditions and evaluate risk factors for worse outcomes and inability of fascial closure during the initial hospitalization.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 101 patients submitted to laparostomy in a single institution from January 2009 to March 2017. The evaluated outcomes were mortality, local morbidity, and rate of primary fascial closure.

Results

The most common indications for open abdomen were bowel perforation, bowel ischemia, and necrotizing pancreatitis. Global in-hospital mortality rate was 62.4%. For the 37 patients discharged from the hospital, a definitive abdominal closure was attained in 28.Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that people older than 60 years of age and with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) scores over 18.5 had higher in-hospital mortality rates. Definitive fascial closure was statistically associated with a lower number of re-interventions and ICU stay.

Conclusions

Open abdomen management may be appropriate in these critically ill patients; however, it continues to be associated with significantly high mortality, especially in elder patients and with higher APACHE II scores. Recognition of risk factors for fascia closure failure should promote the investigation for a tailored surgical approach in these patients.

Open Abdomen Management and Candida Infections: A Very Likely Link

OBJECTIVE

Laparostomy can be applied in trauma, abdominal sepsis, intra-abdominal hypertension, or compartment syndrome. Systemic infections, especially if complicated by Candida, are associated with a high risk of mortality.

METHODS

This is a single-centre retrospective case series of 47 cases admitted to our Department, which required laparostomy procedure; we analyzed the type of surgery, temporary abdominal closure, duration of open abdomen, complications, SOFA score, mortality with Candida infections, and empirical or targeted antifungal therapy.

RESULTS

We found that patients with Candida infection were related with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) with a complication after OA closure, total complications, time elapsed after OA application, time spent on the first surgical OA application, type of temporary abdominal closure that is used, and duration of the open abdomen. The use of empirical and targeted antifungal therapy is related to the duration of open abdomen too.

CONCLUSIONS

Management of the OA is often burdened by sepsis or septic shock, especially when complicated by Candida infection. Candida score is a validated tool to identify patients who can be treated empirically, but every situation must be considered on an individual basis.

The implementation of the elastography score in combination with ultrasound prevents unnecessary biopsy of cardiac lesions

The pathological technique is time consuming, costly, and patients are not preferred routinely. Histopathological findings have very low affectability and greater occurrence of β-errors, specifically in the diagnosis of cardiomyopathies. Angiography provides a two-dimensional view only. Vascular ultrasound elastography is a comparatively simple diagnostic method with a high resolution of images. The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of ultrasound, followed by elastography with coronary angiography and endomyocardial biopsy, in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases in a Chinese population. A total of 792, patients pathologically abnormal (study group, n=396) and normal (non-study group, n=396), respectively, were included in the experimental diagnostic study. The patients were diagnosed by coronary angiography, endomyocardial biopsy of cardiac lesions, and the Lagrangian speckle model estimator implementation followed by elastography. The study group patients were observed for 38 months after diagnosis. The Mann-Whitney U test followed by Dunnett's multiple comparisons test was used to compare histopathological findings and elastic modulus values between study group and non-study group subjects at a 99% of confidence level. Pathology did reveal a significant cardiac abnormality in the study group patients at baseline. In the angiogram, indistinguishable differences between two distinct parts of the artery were reported. However, the ultrasound images were showed an obvious change in the diameter of the artery for the study group patients (p<0.0001, q=34.301). The histopathological findings were failed to detect a cardiac abnormality in the study group (p=0.0426). However, a significant a cardiac abnormality was observed in elastic modulus values in the study group (p<0.0001 q=4.121). During follow-up, physicians were detected significant cardiovascular diseases in study group patients. Vascular ultrasound elastography is a non-invasive method of diagnostic technique and can increase the confidence of the diagnosis in cases of cardiovascular diseases.

Open abdomen critical care management principles: resuscitation, fluid balance, nutrition, and ventilator management

The term "open abdomen" refers to a surgically created defect in the abdominal wall that exposes abdominal viscera. Leaving an abdominal cavity temporarily open has been well described for several indications, including damage control surgery and abdominal compartment syndrome. Although beneficial in certain patients, the act of keeping an abdominal cavity open has physiologic repercussions that must be recognized and managed during postoperative care. This review article describes these issues and provides guidelines for the critical care physician managing a patient with an open abdomen.