Publication details
TREATMENT OF ABDOMINAL WALL DEFECTS:A CHALLENGE FOR SURGEON
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2013 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Introduction: 30% of patients in intensive care contract an intra-abdominal infection and according to literature complications related to a previous surgery or the recurrence of an infection causing morbidity are as high as 50%. In clinical practice we often need to select the most appropriate method for the treatment of an abdominal wall defect or open abdomen. Various methods are available and their aim is the same – to cure the patient’s defect. Method: In the period between June 2011 and December 2012 we observed 32 patients with an abdominal wall defect following surgery who were treated using NPWT. Four of these patients were treated for an “open abdomen,” according to Bjorck’s open abdomen classification they were in category 2B, 3 and also 4. We evaluated the length of treatment, wound size, onset of infection, level of pain and the price of treatment. We assessed wound size using the WHAT method and to assess the risk of infection we used W.A.R. classification. Results: The patients’ average age was 52.7 years. The wound sizes varied from 8cmx5cm to 38cmx35cm. Treatment with NWPT averaged 13 days, and dressings were changed every 4.5 days. All wounds were infected, no mortalities occurred and all the wounds healed. A split-thickness skin graft or secondary suture were used. No significant complications occurred. The wounds detracted by 21 to 90.4% during the NWPT treatment. Conclusion: The NPWT is an excellent method of treatment for open abdomen and abdominal wall defects following surgery. |