Predictors of relaparotomy after nontrauma emergency general surgery with initial fascial closure

Background

Relaparotomy after emergency surgery for nontrauma intraabdominal catastrophes (NTIAC) is morbid. Our objective was to identify patients who likely will need on-demand relaparotomy after surgery for NTIAC.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of patients from 1998 to 2008 identified cases of NTIAC surgery with fascial closure. Demographics, comorbidities, intraoperative findings, morbidity, and mortality were analyzed. Relaparotomy was defined as any return to the operating room with surgical re-entry of the abdominal cavity.

Results

A total of 129 patients underwent NTIAC surgery with fascial closure. Twenty-nine patients (22%) required relaparotomy and 100 patients (78%) did not. Multivariate analysis identified the following predictors of relaparotomy: peripheral vascular disease (P = .04), alcohol abuse (P = .02), body mass index of 29 kg/m² or greater (P = .04), the finding of any ischemic bowel (P = .02), and operating room latency of 60 hours or longer (P = .01). Patients with 2 or more of these predictors had a 55% risk of relaparotomy whereas patients with fewer than 2 of these predictors had a 9% risk (P < .001).

Conclusions

Patients whose fascia is closed during NTIAC surgery do worse when they require relaparotomy. We have identified preoperative and intraoperative predictors that may help identify patients at high risk of on-demand relaparotomy.     

Use of controlled fascial tension and an adhesion preventing barrier to achieve delayed primary fascial closure in patients managed with an open abdomen

Open management of the abdomen has become an accepted technique for both the treatment and the prevention of abdominal compartment syndrome. It has also gained popularity as a treatment option in situations requiring multiple laparotomies such as uncontrolled intra-abdominal infections and severe abdominal injury necessitating damage control surgery. A significant number of patients managed with the open abdomen technique are unable to undergo complete abdominal wall closure and consequently develop large, complex anterior abdominal wall hernias. We report the use of a controlled fascial tensioning device, the Wittmann Patch (Starsurgical, Inc, Burlington, WI), in combination with an adhesion preventing barrier to allow for unhindered sequential medial advancement of the fascia toward the midline. The use of these 2 devices together may lead to a higher incidence of fascia-to-fascia abdominal wall closure than the use of fascial tension alone.     

One hundred percent fascial approximation with sequential abdominal closure of the open abdomen

BACKGROUND: Damage-control surgery and the recognition of the abdominal compartment syndrome have improved patient outcomes but at the cost of an open abdomen. Multiple techniques have been introduced to obtain fascial closure for the open abdomen to minimize morbidity and cost of care. We performed a modification of the vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) technique that provided constant fascial tension, hypothesizing this would result in a higher rate of primary fascial closure. METHODS: After initial temporary closure of the abdomen after post-injury damage control or decompressive laparotomy for abdominal compartment syndrome, we began the sequential closure technique. The technique begins by covering the bowel with the multiple white sponges overlapped like patchwork, and the fascia is placed under moderate tension over the white sponges with #1-PDS sutures. Large black VAC sponges are placed on top of the white sponges and affixed with an occlusive dressing and standard suction tubing is placed. Patients are returned to the operating room for sequential fascial closure and replacement of the sponge sandwich every 2 days, with a resulting decrease in the fascial defect. RESULTS: Fourteen patients underwent sequential abdominal closure during the study period: 9 owing to damage control surgery and 5 owing to secondary abdominal compartment syndrome. Average time to closure was 7.5 +/- 1.0 days (range 4-16) and average number of laparotomies to closure was 4.6 +/- 0.5 (range 3-8). All patients attained primary fascial closure. CONCLUSION: We propose a modification of the previously described vacuum-assisted closure technique that achieves 100% fascial approximation in our limited experience. Further application and refinement of this technique may eliminate the need for delayed complex and costly reconstructive abdominal wall procedures for the open abdomen.     

腹腔开放疗法治疗严重腹腔感染的临床疗效

目的 探讨腹腔开放疗法治疗严重腹腔感染的临床疗效.方法 回顾性分析2009年1月至2014年1月兰州军区兰州总医院收治的36例严重腹腔感染患者的临床资料.所有患者完善检查后,行早期复苏,遵循“损伤控制外科”原则开腹清创,一期手术行腹腔开放疗法,腹腔感染控制后于14 d内行二期关闭腹腔术.术中吸取腹腔内脓液行细菌培养.术后予以抗休克、抗感染、保护脏器功能、营养支持和对症治疗.采用门诊和电话方式进行随访,随访时间截至2014年3月.结果 所有患者顺利完成一期和二期手术,二期术后因感染性休克和MODS死亡6例,治愈出院30例,其中行2次手术8例.两期手术时间为（157±26） min,术中出血量为（230±64） mL,术后胃肠功能恢复时间为（44 ±7）h,术后住院时间为（16±5）d.所有患者成功行腹腔脓液细菌培养,共分离出菌株48株,其中革兰阴性菌31株,革兰阳性菌17株,根据药物敏感试验结果选用亚胺培南和头孢哌酮等抗生素.30例患者术后均获得随访,中位随访时间为6个月.随访期间,6例患者发生粘连性肠梗阻,2例患者发生腹壁切口疝,均经肠粘连松解术或切口疝修补术治疗后痊愈.其余22例患者无并发症发生.结论 对能够耐受手术的严重腹腔感染患者,采用腹腔开放疗法早期开腹清创疗效确切.     

AVAS Best Clinical Resident Award (Tied): Management and outcomes of the open abdomen in nontrauma patients

Background

Little is known regarding the morbidity and mortality of the open abdomen technique in older nontrauma patients.

Methods

A retrospective chart review identified cases of emergency laparotomy in which open abdomens were used.

Results

Eighty-eight patients with open Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) abdomens were identified. An overall mortality rate of 34%, consistent with mortality predicted by APACHE IV score, was seen. Common complications included ventilator-associated pneumonia (30%) and acute renal failure (22%). A perioperative APACHE IV score of greater than 65 and an albumin level less than 2.5 g/dL were found to predict an increased likelihood of long-term assisted care placement after discharge from the acute care setting.

Conclusions

The use of the open abdomen technique in older nontrauma patients carries acceptable morbidity and mortality given the acuity of disease. Focus on ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention and aggressive fluid resuscitation to avoid acute renal failure may improve outcomes. Need for long-term assisted care placement can be predicted early after admission based on the APACHE IV score or albumin level.     

Fluid volume overload negatively influences delayed primary facial closure in open abdomen management

Background and aim

The open abdomen (OA) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and its management poses a formidable challenge. Inability to achieve primary closure of the abdominal wall is one of the most severe complications of this technique. Factors influencing primary fascial closure, however, are unknown. This study aims to explore the influence of fluid volume overload on the application of vacuum-assisted and mesh-mediated fascial traction (VAWCM) in OA treatment.

Methods

A review of patients undergoing OA management using VAWCM technique from January 2006 to November 2011 was performed. Patients with aged <18 y OA treatment for fewer than 5 d and abdominal wall hernia before OA treatment were excluded.

Results

Average age was 45 ± 10.1 y and average OA treatment time was 31 ± 6.8 d. The complete fascial closure rate was 60%. The overall mean bodyweight-based fluid overload was 7.2 kg (range: −8.0 to +21.6 kg), representing a mean percent weight gain of 11.5% (range: −9.5% to +27%). Patients with fluid-related weight gain ≥10% had a lower primary facial closure rate than those with <10% (39% versus 77%). And primary facial closure rate seems to further decrease with fluid-related weight gain ≥20%, suggesting a dose-response effect of progressive fluid accumulation.

Conclusions

The VAWCM method provided a high primary fascial closure rate after long-term treatment of OA. Fluid volume overload negatively influences delayed primary facial closure. Judicious intravenous fluid resuscitation should be advocated in the therapy of critically ill patients.     

Risk factors for clostridium difficile infection in general surgery patients

BackgroundClostridium Difficile Infection (CDI) is a significant cause of mortality. This study aims to identify predictors of CDI in general surgery patients.MethodsPatients who underwent general surgery operations in the 2019 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database were identified with demographic, intervention, and outcome data abstracted. Patients with CDI and no CDI were compared by univariate analysis. Multivariable logistic regression (MLR) was performed to determine independent predictors of CDI.ResultsOf 436,831 surgical patients, 1,840 patients were diagnosed with CDI (0.4%). Patients with CDI have a higher mortality (2.1% vs 0.76%,p < 0.0001), longer length of stay (7 days vs 1 day, p < 0.0001), and are less likely to undergo a laparoscopic procedure (29.9% vs 37.5%, p < 0.0001). MLR identified older age, emergent operation, increased time to operation, surgical site infection, deep organ space infection, steroid use, metastatic cancer, smoking, and decreased body mass index (BMI) as independent predictors of CDI.ConclusionsCDI is rare following general surgery. Infections, delay to operation, and emergency operations are associated with CDI.     

Temporary abdominal closure followed by definitive abdominal wall reconstruction of the open abdomen

BACKGROUND: Inability to close the abdominal wall after laparotomy for trauma may occur as a result of visceral edema, retroperitoneal hematoma, use of packing, and traumatic loss of tissue. Often life-saving, decompressive laparotomy and temporary abdominal closure require later restoration of anatomic continuity of the abdominal wall. METHODS: The trauma registry, open abdomen database, and patient medical records at a level 1 university-based trauma center were reviewed from January 1988 to December 2001. RESULTS: During the study period, more than 15,000 trauma patients were admitted, with 88 patients (0.6%) requiring temporary abdominal closure (TAC). Patients ages ranged from 12 to 75 years with a mean injury severity score (ISS) of 28 (range 5 to 54). Forty-five patients (51%) suffered penetrating injuries, and 43 (49%) were victims of blunt trauma. Indications for TAC included visceral edema in 61 patients (70%), abdominal compartment syndrome in 10 patients (11%), traumatic tissue loss in 9 patients (10%), and wound sepsis and fascial necrosis in 8 patients (9%). Fifty-six patients (64%) underwent TAC at admission laparotomy, whereas 32 patients (36%) required TAC at reexploration. Seventy-one patients (81%) survived and 17 (19%) died. Of the survivors, 24 patients (34%) underwent same-admission direct fascial closure, and 47 patients (66%) required visceral skin grafting and readmission closure. Reconstructive procedures in the patients requiring skin graft excision included direct fascial repair (20 patients, 44%), components separation closure with or without subfascial tissue expansion (18 patients, 40%), pedicled or free-tissue flaps (4 patients, 8%), and mesh repair (4 patients, 8%). One patient refused closure. The mean follow-up was 48 months (range 6 to 144), with an overall recurrence rate of 15% (range 10% to 50%), highest in the mesh repair group. CONCLUSIONS: Silicone sheeting TAC provides a safe and reliable temporary abdominal closure allowing for later definitive reconstruction. Direct fascial repair or components separation closure with or without tissue expansion can be utilized in the majority of patients for definitive reconstruction with low recurrence rate.     

The concept of damage control: extending the paradigm to emergency general surgery

OBJECTIVE: A damage control (DC) approach was developed to improve survival in severely injured trauma patients. The role of DC in acute surgery (AS) patients who are critically ill, as a result of sepsis or overwhelming haemorrhage continues to evolve. The goal of this study was to assess morbidity and mortality of AS patients who underwent DC, and to compare observed and predicted morbidity and mortality as calculated from APACHE II and physiological and operative severity score for the enumeration of mortality and morbidity (POSSUM) scores. METHODS: Consecutive acute surgery patients who underwent DC from 2002 to 2004 were included. Retrospectively collected data included patient demographics, physiological parameters, surgical indications and procedures, mortality, morbidity, as well as volumes of crystalloid and colloid (plasma and red blood cell) resuscitation. Observed mortality and complications were compared to those calculated from APACHE II and POSSUM scores. Data were analysed using the Mann-Whitney test for median values, chi-square and Fisher's exact tests for proportions. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (mean age 53 years, seven men, nine women) underwent DC. The most common indications for DC included abdominal sepsis (6/15), intraoperative bleeding (5/15), and bowel ischaemia (3/15). The mean intraoperative blood loss during the index procedure was 2060mL. There were 2.4 average procedures per patient. At the end of DC II (36.5h), mean infusion of crystalloid was 17L, packed red blood cells was 3.6L, and plasma was 3L. Eight of 16 patients required vasopressor administration during resuscitation. At 28 days, there were five unexpected survivors as predicted by POSSUM and three by APACHE II (observed mortality seven, predicted mortality by the two methods: 12 (P=0.074), and 10 (P=0.24), respectively). Five patients died prior to definitive abdominal closure. Split thickness skin grafting (4/16) and primary fascial closure (4/16) constituted the most common methods of abdominal closure. Surgical morbidity predicted by POSSUM (98%) and actual morbidity (100%) were similar. CONCLUSION: Although the morbidity and mortality of AS patients undergoing DC is high, the application of DC principles in this group may reduce mortality compared to that predicted by POSSUM or APACHE II. In order to adequately demonstrate this contention, large, multi-institutional studies of DC in AS patients need to be performed. The POSSUM score appears to accurately estimate the high morbidity in general surgery DC patients, and supports the importance of team management of these complex patients by acute care surgery specialists.     

The open abdomen and temporary abdominal closure systems – historical evolution and systematic review

Aim Several techniques for temporary abdominal closure have been developed. We systematically review the literature on temporary abdominal closure to ascertain whether the method can be tailored to the indication. Method Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and relevant meeting abstracts until December 2009 were searched using the following headings: open abdomen, laparostomy, VAC (vacuum assisted closure), TNP (topical negative pressure), fascial closure, temporary abdominal closure, fascial dehiscence and deep wound dehiscence. The data were analysed by closure technique and aetiology. The primary end‐points included delayed fascial closure and in‐hospital mortality. The secondary end‐points were intra‐abdominal complications. Results The search identified 106 papers for inclusion. The techniques described were VAC (38 series), mesh/sheet (30 series), packing (15 series), Wittmann patch (eight series), Bogotá bag (six series), dynamic retention sutures (three series), zipper (15 series), skin only and locking device (one series each). The highest facial closure rates were seen with the Wittmann patch (78%), dynamic retention sutures (71%) and VAC (61%). Conclusion Temporary abdominal closure has evolved from simple packing to VAC based systems. In the absence of sepsis Wittmann patch and VAC offered the best outcome. In its presence VAC had the highest delayed primary closure and the lowest mortality rates. However, due to data heterogeneity only limited conclusions can be drawn from this analysis.     

腹腔开放疗法在严重腹腔感染中的应用

严重腹腔感染传统的治疗措施包括感染源控制措施、抗感染药物合理应用.近年发展为液体复苏与脏器功能支持和腹腔开放疗法.综合这些措施可将腹腔感染的总体病死率降低至20％以下.腹部创伤与感染时,腹腔内压升高、腹腔灌注压降低、腹部脏器灌流不足,外科医师主动将腹腔敞开,此即为腹腔开放疗法.腹腔开放可有效降低腹内压,改善腹腔灌注压,有助于感染源的清创与引流,及时发现处理出血和肠瘘等并发症.腹腔开放疗法的主要并发症是肠空气瘘.防治肠空气瘘的主要措施包括各种临时关腹措施以及早期封闭裸露创面.     

腹腔开放技术在胃肠外科中应用的价值分析

目的分析腹腔开放技术在胃肠外科中的应用价值。方法回顾性分析2006年至2010年我院6例采用腹腔开放技术患者的临床资料。结果6例患者均采用早期腹腔开放技术控制腹腔感染,暂时关腹保护创面,二期行确定性手术关闭腹腔,均恢复良好,无继发肠瘘、切口疝、腹腔脓肿的发生。结论腹腔开放技术对于胃肠外科严重腹腔感染、严重创伤及肠瘘的治疗是安全可靠、方便应用的。     

Primary closure of stoma site wounds after ostomy takedown

Background

Ostomy reversal is considered a contaminated surgery and, thus, primary closure is believed to increase infection. Various closure techniques have been described and postulated to be superior to primary closure in regards to decreasing stoma site wound infections. The literature has varied in its support for this hypothesis.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed evaluating several variables including stomal closure method, patient demographics, steroid/immunosuppressant use, chemotherapy or radiation, perioperative antibiotics, and surgical indication to determine whether there was any association with the development of wound infections.

Results

Of 75 patients undergoing ostomy reversal, delayed primary closure/packing/secondary intention was used in 49 (65%), and 26 underwent primary closure (35%). Four patients (5.3%) developed stoma site infections; all had delayed primary closure or packing of their wound (P = .39). No variable was associated significantly with an increased risk of stoma site wound infections.

Conclusions

Primary closure does not increase the rate of infection.     

Goal directed fluid resuscitation decreases time for lactate clearance and facilitates early fascial closure in damage control surgery

Background

Damage-control surgery frequently results in open abdomen. The objective of this study was to determine whether resuscitation with goal-directed fluid therapy (GDT) using “dynamic” hemodynamic indices via modern pulse contour analysis devices such as the FloTrac Vigileo monitor leads to lower fluid requirements, subsequent quicker abdominal closure, and overall improved outcomes in these patients.

Methods

Patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit with open abdomen were retrospectively reviewed. Those resuscitated with Vigileo-guided GDT were matched to those resuscitated by static clinical parameters.

Results

Total fluid intake and vasopressor requirements were similar in both groups. GDT with the Vigileo allowed earlier lactate clearance and reduced the number of days until abdominal wall closure by an average of .99 days.

Conclusions

Vigileo-mediated GDT did not affect fluid volume or vasopressor use in open abdomen patients, but facilitated more effective resuscitation and decreased the number of days to fascial closure, leading to shorter hospital stays. Vigileo-mediated GDT, therefore, may improve overall outcomes in open abdomen patients.     

The sentinel placement of an open abdomen negative pressure unit

The open abdomen is a common condition after a trauma necessitating celiotomy with the inability to close the fascia either due to damage control surgery or abdominal compartment syndrome. Traditionally the open abdomen has been approached with the use of the open abdomen temporary abdominal closure (Barker Vacuum Pack Dressing). More recently there has been the addition of the ABThera™ open abdomen negative pressure unit introduced by KCI. Our case report is based on the first patient to have placement of the ABThera™ device.     

Novel technique of temporary abdominal closure with continuous medial fascial traction dynamic for patients with open abdomen

Open abdomen has been an effective treatment for abdominal catastrophes in trauma and general surgery, is one of the greatest advances in recent decades and has become a common procedure in both trauma and general surgery. Temporary abdominal closure techniques in managing open abdomen help to achieve many benefits without incurring many complications. We present a series of patients in which a temporary abdominal closure technique was used that generates continuous medial fascial traction dynamic in patients with open abdomen for different causes.