Feasibility of minimally invasive approaches in patients with infected necrotizing pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive procedures to treat infected necrotizing pancreatitis (INP) are gaining popularity. The proportion of patients suitable for this approach remains unknown. METHODS: Preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans were reviewed from 106 consecutive patients who had surgery for INP between 2000 and 2003 in 11 Dutch hospitals. Collections related to the pancreas were classified according to their distance from the left abdominal wall. Five radiologists judged 'accessibility' for drain placement and the likelihood that there was a fluid component that would drain ('drainability'). Agreement between radiologists was determined. RESULTS: CT scans of 80 (75 per cent) patients were available (59 men; age range 29-80 years). The median interval between hospital admission and preoperative CT scan was 20 days. In 55 (69 per cent) patients, the lateral border of the collection was less than 5 cm from the left abdominal wall. Placement of a drain was deemed feasible in 67 (84 (range 77-89) per cent) patients; mean(s.d.) kappa 0.428(0.096). In 45 (56 per cent) patients, a drain could be placed through the left retroperitoneum. In 43 (54 (range 49-82) per cent) patients, collections were judged to contain a drainable fluid component. Interobserver agreement on 'drainability' was poor, mean(s.d.) kappa 0.289(0.101). CONCLUSION: Most peripancreatic collections in INP were considered accessible to a minimally invasive approach.     

Minimally invasive 'step-up approach' versus maximal necrosectomy in patients with acute necrotising pancreatitis (PANTER trial): design and rationale of a randomised controlled multicenter trial [ISRCTN13975868]

Background

The initial treatment of acute necrotizing pancreatitis is conservative. Intervention is indicated in patients with (suspected) infected necrotizing pancreatitis. In the Netherlands, the standard intervention is necrosectomy by laparotomy followed by continuous postoperative lavage (CPL). In recent years several minimally invasive strategies have been introduced. So far, these strategies have never been compared in a randomised controlled trial. The PANTER study (PAncreatitis, Necrosectomy versus sTEp up appRoach) was conceived to yield the evidence needed for a considered policy decision.

Methods/design

88 patients with (suspected) infected necrotizing pancreatitis will be randomly allocated to either group A) minimally invasive 'step-up approach' starting with drainage followed, if necessary, by videoscopic assisted retroperitoneal debridement (VARD) or group B) maximal necrosectomy by laparotomy. Both procedures are followed by CPL. Patients will be recruited from 20 hospitals, including all Dutch university medical centres, over a 3-year period. The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients suffering from postoperative major morbidity and mortality. Secondary endpoints are complications, new onset sepsis, length of hospital and intensive care stay, quality of life and total (direct and indirect) costs. To demonstrate that the 'step-up approach' can reduce the major morbidity and mortality rate from 45 to 16%, with 80% power at 5% alpha, a total sample size of 88 patients was calculated.

Discussion

The PANTER-study is a randomised controlled trial that will provide evidence on the merits of a minimally invasive 'step-up approach' in patients with (suspected) infected necrotizing pancreatitis.     

Non-traumatic causes and the management of the open abdomen

The open abdomen is increasingly used for the treatment and prevention of abdominal compartment syndrome. The leading non-traumatic conditions that may cause abdominal compartment syndrome requiring surgical decompression include secondary peritonitis, ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and severe acute pancreatitis. Patients may also end up with the open abdomen when the laparotomy wound cannot be closed without tension because of excessive visceral swelling. Also, surgical complications such as laparotomy wound dehiscence, may require temporary abdominal closure techniques. In critically ill surgical patients and in situations when second-look laparotomy is mandatory the open abdomen can be utilized in a preventive manner like in damage control trauma surgery. Underlying disease and the indication for the open abdomen significantly contributes to outcome of patient with open abdomen. Non-traumatic aetiology of the open abdomen is associated with lower likelihood of primary fascial closure and higher rate of open abdomen related complications compared with traumatic aetiology. A number of temporal abdominal closure techniques have been described. Ideally, temporal abdominal closure technique should prevent the development of recurrent abdominal compartment syndrome and facilitate later primary fascia closure with low complication rate. Although fascial closure rate varies between techniques, there are few evidence-based data to support one technique over another. However, recent evolution of temporary abdominal closure techniques have decreased the number of patients with frozen abdomen and reduced the need for planned hernia management. Highest fascial closure rates have been achieved with vacuum-assisted closure systems and systems that provide continuous fascial traction.     

Surgical management of necrotizing pancreatitis

The most important diagnostic step in the management of patients with severe acute pancreatitis is the discrimination between acute interstitial and necrotizing pancreatitis. Measurement of C-reactive protein, lactic acid dehydrogenase, alpha-1-antitrypsin, and alpha-2-macroglobulin and contrast-enhanced CT are useful in detecting the necrotizing course of acute pancreatitis. C-reactive protein, lactic acid dehydrogenase, and contrast-enhanced CT offer detection rates of 85 per cent to more than 90 per cent for pancreatic necrosis. Surgical decision-making in necrotizing pancreatitis should be based on clinical, morphologic, and bacteriologic data. Patients with focal pancreatic necrosis, in general, respond well to medical treatment and do not need surgery. Extended (50 per cent or more) pancreatic necroses, infected necroses, and intrapancreatic parenchymal necroses plus extrapancreatic fatty tissue necroses are indicators for surgical management. The decision for the timing of operation in patients with proved necrotizing pancreatitis should be based on clinical criteria: the development of an acute surgical abdomen, generalized sepsis, shock, persisting or increasing organ dysfunction, or some combination thereof despite maximum intensive care treatment for at least 3 days. Major pancreatic resection for the treatment of necrotizing pancreatitis appears disadvantageous. Necrosectomy and continuous local lavage allow debridement of devitalized tissue and preservation of vital pancreatic tissue. Postoperative local lavage thus results in an atraumatic evacuation of necrotic tissue, the bacterial material, and biologically active substances. The hospital mortality rate of patients treated with necrosectomy and continuous local lavage (the Ulm protocol) is below 10 per cent. Nevertheless, controlled prospective clinical trials should be performed in order to bring more precision to our clinical decisions in respect to the role of surgery for this disease.     

Open abdomen management of intra-abdominal sepsis

Despite surgical advances, antimicrobial therapy, and intensive care, the morbidity and mortality of intra-abdominal sepsis remains high. The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether open abdomen management of intra-abdominal sepsis reduces intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital mortality. The records of 81 consecutive patients with open abdomen management for intra-abdominal sepsis admitted to the surgical ICU from January 1998 to April 2002 were retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes were compared to a historical control group with primary abdominal closure, also admitted to the surgical ICU with intra-abdominal sepsis and matched for sex, age, source of sepsis, and APACHE III score. ICU mortality for the open abdomen group was 25 per cent versus 17 per cent for the control group. Hospital mortality was 33 per cent and 25 per cent for the open abdomen patients and historical controls, respectively. Both ICU and hospital length of stay were significantly longer for the open abdomen group. An overall fistula rate of 14.8 per cent was demonstrated in the open abdomen patients. A significant difference in overall ICU and hospital mortality was not demonstrated between patients treated with open abdomen management and historical controls. A prospective randomized study accounting for extent of sepsis may define a role for open abdomen management in selected subgroups of patients.     

Peritoneal response to pneumoperitoneum and laparoscopic surgery

BACKGROUND: It is generally believed that laparoscopic surgery inflicts less trauma to the peritoneum than open surgery. Local peritoneal fibrinolysis is a critical factor in adhesion development. The objective was to investigate fibrinolytic changes in the peritoneum during laparoscopic and open surgery. METHODS: At laparotomy (n = 10) peritoneal biopsies were taken at opening of the abdomen and just before closure. At laparoscopy (n = 12) opening peritoneal biopsies were taken after carbon dioxide insufflation, and closure biopsies just before exsufflation. Tissue concentrations of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and the resulting tPA activity were assayed. RESULTS: Concentrations of tPA in peritoneal tissue declined during operation in both groups, but significantly so only in the laparotomy group (- 53 per cent; P = 0.01). PAI-1 levels were higher in opening biopsies from the laparoscopy group (P = 0.004). There was an increase in PAI-1 concentration during laparotomy, but not during laparoscopy. At the end of the operation, there was no difference between the groups. The resulting tPA activity did not differ between groups at opening or closure. In both groups there was a significant decline during operation (laparotomy: - 59 per cent, P = 0.02; laparoscopy: - 63 per cent, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that the peritoneal response to open and laparoscopic surgery is similar. The initial rise in peritoneal PAI-1 concentration during laparoscopy suggests an adverse effect of carbon dioxide insufflation, which might affect peritoneal repair.     

双入路小切口坏死组织清除术联合持续灌注引流治疗感染性坏死性胰腺炎的临床疗效

目的:探讨双入路小切口坏死组织清除术联合持续灌注引流治疗感染性坏死性胰腺炎（INP）的临床疗效。方法:采用回顾性描述性研究方法。收集2016年4月至2019年7月陆军军医大学大坪医院收治的20例INP病人的临床资料;男11例,女9例;年龄为（42 ±9）岁。20例病人均行双入路小切口坏死组织清除术,联合术后...     

Diagnostic peritoneal lavage in intra-abdominal sepsis

Despite the advent of sophisticated diagnostic technology the diagnosis of the surgical abdomen in the Intensive Care Unit continues to pose a problem for the surgeon. A retrospective analysis was carried out to evaluate the utility of diagnostic peritoneal lavage to diagnose intra-abdominal surgical disease. Diagnostic peritoneal lavage was carried out in patients in whom the physical exam was deemed unreliable, such as in patients with cardiopulmonary instability or mental obtundation. Patients were included in the study if autopsy or laparotomy confirmation of the lavage data was available. Forty four patients met the inclusion criteria and formed the basis of this study. Of the twenty three patients with a positive lavage, three false-positive diagnostic peritoneal lavages were discovered, either at laparotomy or postmortem exam. Of the twenty one patients where diagnostic peritoneal lavage was negative, no false-negatives were discovered at autopsy or laparatomy. Therefore, this test is 100 per cent sensitive and 88 per cent specific. It is concluded that a negative diagnostic peritoneal lavage makes intra-abdominal surgical disease highly unlikely. However, a positive lavage may require further diagnostic work-up.     

Surgical management of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome

The initial management of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is medical measures to reduce intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). These, in combination with percutaneous drainage of peritoneal free fluid, may serve to reduce IAH. If these measures fail, surgical decompression of the abdomen by laparotomy is necessary to control the IAP, search for and treat inciting factors, and reduce the hypertension. The abdomen is usually left open with temporary abdominal closure techniques. Surgical decompression of IAH associated with acute pancreatitis or secondary abdominal compartment syndrome has other surgical options besides a complete celiotomy. Attention to detail in surgical technique and postoperative care is essential for optimal outcome.     

Extended indications for polypropylene mesh closure of the abdominal wall

Over a two-year period (1982-1984) polypropylene (Marlex) mesh was used without closing the abdominal wound in 21 patients judged clinically likely to require further abdominal exploration. A total of 43 meshes were implanted. All 21 patients had more than one major laparotomy, median 3 laparotomies (range 2-7) for drainage of pus (76 per cent) and/or intestinal leakage (67 per cent). Definitive abdominal wound closure after removal of polypropylene mesh was either by delayed primary suturing (33 per cent) or consisted of split skin grafting on the granulating wound (24 per cent). Three wounds were left to granulate without skin grafting (14 per cent). Mortality in this group of patients was 29 per cent and no complications resulted directly from implantation of polypropylene mesh. Polypropylene mesh closure of the abdominal wall not only provides simple and rapid access to the abdomen but also allows free drainage and daily inspection for the development of fistulae or the seepage of pus which are indications for further exploration. In that the clinical outcome is relatively favourable in this group of critically ill surgical patients who required multiple laparotomies within a short interval, it is suggested that mesh closure of the abdominal wound is indicated whenever abdominal re-entry is judged probable or rational.     

Operative treatment of pseudocysts in patients with chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: Pseudocysts associated with chronic pancreatitis are generally intrapancreatic and associated with parenchymal disease. They tend to persist and cause complications. Minimally invasive methods of treatment challenge the traditional techniques of operative management. Surgical operation allows definitive treatment of the pseudocyst with the option of dealing appropriately with the diseased pancreas and excluding a neoplastic process. The aim of this study was to review the safety and efficacy of a surgical approach to the management of pseudocysts associated with chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: A personal series of 112 consecutive patients operated for pseudocysts in the setting of chronic pancreatitis was reviewed. Chronic pancreatitis was confirmed by imaging studies in association with exocrine and/or endocrine failure. Cysts were multiple in 31 patients and presented with complications other than pain in 47. Data were collected prospectively regarding the clinical presentation, the nature of the operation and its outcome. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients (43 per cent) underwent drainage procedures, 56 (50 per cent) had a resection and eight (7 per cent) had a combination. Larger cysts and those located in the head and neck tended to be drained, while smaller and distal cysts were more often resected. The morbidity rate was 28 per cent and the operative mortality rate was 1 per cent. The cyst recurrence rate was 3 per cent and pain was relieved in 74 per cent of patients. CONCLUSION: Operative management of pseudocysts associated with chronic pancreatitis is effective with low morbidity and mortality rates. The introduction of newer minimally invasive techniques will have to withstand comparison to this traditional approach.     

Surgery in the treatment of acute pancreatitis--open pancreatic necrosectomy.

Management of acute necrotizing pancreatitis has changed significantly over the past years. Early management is non-surgically and solely supportive. Today, more patients survive the early phase of severe pancreatitis due to improvements of intensive-care-medicine. Pancreatic infection is the major risk factor with regard to morbidity and mortality in the late phase of severe acute pancreatitis. Whereas early surgery and surgery for sterile necrosis can only be recommended in selected cases, pancreatic infection is a well accepted indication for surgical treatment. Surgery should ideally be postponed until four weeks after the onset of symptoms as necrosis is well demarcated at that time. Four surgical techniques can be performed with comparable results regarding mortality: necrosectomy combined with (1) open packing, (2) planned staged relaparotomies with repeated lavage, (3) closed continuous lavage of the retroperitoneum, and (4) closed packing. However, closed continuous lavage of the retroperitoneum, and closed packing seem to be associated with a lower morbidity compared to the other two approaches. Advances in radiologic imaging, new developments of interventional radiology and other minimal access interventions have revolutionized the management of many surgical conditions over the past decades. However, minimal invasive surgery and interventional therapy for infected necrosis should be limited to specific indications in patients who are critically ill and otherwise unfit for conventional surgery. Open surgical debridement is the "gold standard" for treatment of infected pancreatic and peripancreatic necrosis.     

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重症急性胰腺炎(SAP)继发感染是病人后期死亡的主要原因。微创外科技术的发展使得SAP继发感染的外科处理发生重大变化。"进阶式"治疗方案提出后,外科处理演变为以微创治疗为先导的综合治疗,开放手术时代的"3D"策略,即延期手术(delay)、引流(drain)和清创(debride)仍然适用。     

急性胆源性胰腺炎的微创治疗策略

目的:探讨急性胆源性胰腺炎的微创治疗策略。方法:回顾分析2007年1月至2012年1月51例急性胆源性胰腺炎患者的临床资料。结果:23例急诊行内镜逆行胰胆管造影检查,内镜十二指肠乳头括约肌切开术取石10例(5例结石取净)、取虫1例,17例放置鼻胆管引流。45例行腹腔镜手术,无一例中转开腹。全组死亡1例,死亡率1.96%。结论:急性胆源性胰腺炎在常规基础治疗的同时,应早期内镜解除胆胰开口梗阻,去除胰腺炎的诱发因素;必要时可行腹腔镜冲洗并置管引流,同时处理胆道疾病;条件允许时可待胰腺炎病情稳定后微创处理胆系结石。     

Operative management of small bowel fistulae associated with open abdomen

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal fistulae associated with open abdomen are serious complications following trauma or other major abdominal surgery. Management is extremely difficult and the mortality is still high in spite of modern medical advances. Patients who survive initial physiological and metabolic derangements require operative closure of the fistula, which is technically demanding and poorly described in the literature. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients with small bowel fistulae associated with open abdomen was performed. Only patients who were stabilized sufficiently to undergo surgical closure of the fistula were enrolled in the study. The operative techniques comprised three important steps: exploratory laparotomy and resection of small bowel fistulae with end-to-end anastomosis; bridging the abdominal wall defect with a sheet of polyglycolic acid mesh; and covering the mesh with bilateral bipedicle anterior abdominal skin flaps. RESULTS: Eight patients were included in the study. The number of operations before surgical closure of the fistula ranged from one to six (mean, 3.6). The time from first operation to surgery for fistula closure ranged from 2.5 to 7.5 months (mean, 4.4 months). Three patients had recurrent fistula, and one died (mortality, 12.5%). Hospital stay ranged from 101 to 311 days (mean, 187 days). CONCLUSION: We present a method of closure of small bowel fistulae associated with open abdomen and hope that this will provide surgeons encountering such complications with a good alternative for surgical management.     

Use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and risk of re-operation due to post-surgical bleeding in breast cancer patients: a Danish population-based cohort study

Background

Development of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) has a strong impact on the course of disease. Number of patients with this complication increases during the years due more aggressive fluid resuscitation, much bigger proportion of patients who is treated conservatively or by minimal invasive approach, and efforts to delay open surgery. There have not been standard recommendations for a surgical or some other interventional treatment of patients who develop ACS during the SAP. The aim of DECOMPRESS study was to compare decompresive laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure and percutaneus puncture with placement of abdominal catheter in these patients.

Methods

One hundred patients with ACS will be randomly allocated to two groups: I) decompresive laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure or II) percutaneus puncture with placement of abdominal catheter. Patients will be recruited from five hospitals in Belgrade during two years period. The primary endpoint is the mortality rate within hospitalization. Secondary endpoints are time interval between intervention and resolving of organ failure and multi organ dysfunction syndrome, incidence of infectious complications and duration of hospital and ICU stay. A total sample size of 100 patients was calculated to demonstrate that decompresive laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure can reduce mortality rate from 60% to 40% with 80% power at 5% alfa.

Conclusion

DECOMPRESS study is designed to reveal a reduction in mortality and major morbidity by using decompresive laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure in comparison with percutaneus puncture with placement of abdominal catheter in patients with ACS during SAP.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NTC00793715     

Prospective evaluation of vacuum-assisted closure in abdominal compartment syndrome and severe abdominal sepsis

BACKGROUND: Open abdomen treatment because of severe abdominal sepsis and abdominal compartment syndrome remains a difficult task. Different surgical techniques are available and are often used according to the surgeon's personal experience. Recently, the abdominal vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system has been introduced, providing a new possibility to treat an open abdomen. In this study, we evaluate the role of this treatment option. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective observational cohort study includes 37 consecutive patients who were temporarily treated with VAC for severe abdominal sepsis or abdominal compartment syndrome, or both. Patients with abdominal trauma were excluded from the study. Thirty-seven patients undergoing major elective laparotomy and primary abdominal closure served as control group. Primary end points were fascial closure rate, physicoemotional recovery, and appearance outcomes 1 year after closure. Secondary end points included mortality, duration of open abdomen, length of ICU stay, and hospitalization time. RESULTS: Abdomens were left open for 23 days (range 3 to 122 days) with 3.8 dressing changes (range 1 to 22) per patient. Abdominal closure was achieved in 70% (n = 26), with no marked relation to duration of open abdomen treatment (p > 0.05). After 3 months, patients with VAC treatment recovered to a physical and mental health status similar to patients in the control group (p > 0.05). This status remained stable until the end of the study. Aesthetic outcomes (according to the Vancouver Scar Scale) were considerably poorer in the VAC group compared with controls (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of laparostomy with VAC for abdominal sepsis and abdominal compartment syndrome results in a high rate of successful abdominal closure. In addition, patients recover more rapidly, although hypertrophic scars might interfere with body perception. We recommend abdominal VAC system as first option if open abdomen treatment is indicated.     

Fascia closure after midline laparotomy: results of a randomized trial

Four techniques to close the fascia after midline laparotomy were compared in a prospective randomized multicentre trial. The four techniques were: interrupted closure with polyglactin; continuous closure with polyglactin; continuous closure with polydioxanone-s, and continuous closure with nylon. The early postoperative results in 1491 patients revealed an incidence of wound infection of 8.6 per cent and of wound dehiscence of 2.3 per cent with no statistically significant differences between the four techniques. We reviewed 1156 patients after 1 year. Wound pain was present in 9.7 per cent of the patients, statistically significantly more in the group closed with nylon (16.7 per cent). Suture sinuses developed in 3.5 per cent of the patients, statistically significantly more frequently in the nylon group (7.7 per cent). The total number of incisional hernias detected 1 year postoperatively was high (15.2 per cent) (interrupted polyglactin 16.9 per cent, continuous polyglactin 20.6 per cent, continuous polydioxanone 13.2 per cent and continuous nylon 10.3 per cent). The difference between nylon and continuous polyglactin is statistically significant. The results of this trial indicate that although nylon has the lowest incidence of incisional hernia it also is associated with more wound pain and suture sinuses.     

Gastrointestinal complications in lung transplant survivors that require surgical intervention

BACKGROUND: Lung transplantation is widely accepted as a treatment for end-stage lung disease. At present, information regarding the incidence and outcome of acute gastrointestinal complications in lung transplant survivors is limited. METHODS: Since 1990, 127 lung transplantations have been performed in 125 patients: 73 males (58 per cent) and 52 females (42 per cent) of median age 43 (range 9-64) years. Patients received a standard induction and maintenance regimen of immunosuppression. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 2.6 (range 0-8.6) years the overall survival rate was 68 per cent. An acute abdomen requiring surgical intervention was diagnosed in 12 patients (10 per cent). The median time following lung transplantation was 19 (range 3-68) months. Eight cases of bowel perforation, two of appendicitis, one of colitis, one of cholecystitis, and one pneumoperitoneum were encountered. Four Hartmann procedures, two sigmoid resections, one small bowel resection, two appendicectomies, a subtotal colectomy, a cholecystectomy and an exploratory laparotomy were performed with minimal morbidity and no postoperative death. CONCLUSION: Lung transplant survivors are at increased risk of developing an acute abdomen because of the use of high-dose immunosuppressive agents. Physicians who evaluate lung transplant patients for an acute abdomen should have a low threshold for surgical intervention.     

Late fascial closure in lieu of ventral hernia: the next step in open abdomen management

BACKGROUND: The use of open abdomen techniques in damage control laparotomy and abdominal compartment syndrome has led to development of several methods of temporary abdominal closure. All of these methods require creation of a planned hernia with later reconstruction in patients unable to undergo fascial closure in the early postoperative period. We review a method of late primary fascial closure, thus eliminating the need for delayed reconstruction in some patients. METHODS: The records of all patients managed with open abdomens over a 5-year period at a Level I trauma center were reviewed for injury characteristics, operative treatment, final abdominal closure type and timing, and outcome. Patients requiring open abdomen who were unable to undergo fascial closure in the early postoperative period were managed with a vacuum-assisted fascial closure (VAFC) technique. This allows for constant tension on the wound edges and facilitates late fascial closure. Patients managed with planned hernia (HERNIA group) were compared with those undergoing fascial closure > or = 9 days after initial laparotomy (LATE group) for injury severity, fistula rate, and mortality. All patients in the LATE group underwent VAFC. RESULTS: From September 1996 to October 2001, 148 patients required management with an open abdomen. Fifty-nine underwent fascial closure, 37 of these before postoperative day 9 and 22 on or after day 9. Mean time to closure in the LATE group was 21 days (range, 9-49 days). Injury Severity Scores were similar in the HERNIA and LATE groups (26 vs. 30, p = 0.28), as were admission base deficit (-8.8 vs. -9.5, p = 0.71), number of fistulas (1 vs. 0, p = 0.99), and mortality (17% vs. 14%, p = 0.99). CONCLUSION: VAFC enables late fascial closure in open abdomen patients up to a month after initial laparotomy. Complication rates do not differ from patients with planned hernia, and the need for future abdominal wall reconstruction is avoided.