Outcomes of primary fascial closure after open abdomen for nontrauma emergency general surgery patients

Background

Emergency general surgery patients are increasingly being managed with an open abdomen (OA). Factors associated with complications after primary fascial closure (PFC) are unknown.

Methods

Demographic and operative variables for all emergency general surgery patients managed with OA at an academic medical center were prospectively examined from June to December 2013. Primary outcome was complication requiring reoperation.

Results

Of 58 patients, 37 managed with OA achieved PFC. Of these, 14 needed re-exploration for dehiscence, compartment syndrome, infection, or other. Complications after PFC were not associated with age, type of operative intervention, time to closure, re-explorations, comorbidities, or mortality. Complications correlated with higher body mass index (P = .02), skin closure (P = .04), plasma infusion (P = .01), and less intraoperative bleeding (P = .05). Deep surgical site infection correlated with fascial dehiscence (P = .02).

Conclusions

Reoperation after PFC was more likely in obese and nonhemorrhagic patients. Recognition of these factors and strategies to reduce surgical site infection may improve outcomes.     

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.     

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.     

A novel approach to the problem of intestinal fistulization arising in patients managed with open peritoneal cavities

Open management of the peritoneal cavity is an efficacious technique for controlling fulminant intraabdominal sepsis. A significant proportion of these patients develop intestinal fistulae for which there are few good treatment options. We propose a novel technique for preventing and potentially treating intestinal fistulas that involves patching intestinal deserosalizations and fistulas with acellular dermal matrix (Alloderm) and fibrin glue. We report our experience with this technique in 2 patients who developed small bowel deserosalizations, neither of whom went on to develop fistulas. We additionally describe 1 patient who developed an intestinal fistula for whom we were able to affect closure with this technique. We propose that our method is a useful temporizing measure to prevent fistulae formation. Furthermore, we believe this technique may be a useful option for treating intestinal fistulae arising in patients managed with open abdominal wounds.     

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.     

人体生物敷料在腹腔开放治疗中的临床疗效

目的 探讨人体生物敷料（灭活的同种异体皮肤）作为腹腔开放临时覆盖物的临床疗效.方法 回顾性分析2011年1月至2014年1月南京军区南京总医院收治的44例因外伤行腹腔开放治疗患者的临床资料.所有患者腹腔开放后以改良三明治法作为临时关腹技术.2011年1月至2012年12月共33例行腹腔开放治疗患者采用凡士林纱布为腹腔临时覆盖物,设为凡士林纱布组（33例）;2013年1月至2014年1月共11例行腹腔开放治疗患者采用人体生物敷料为腹腔临时覆盖物,设为人体生物敷料组（11例）.采用门诊和电话随访,随访时间截至2014年10月.比较两组患者肠道空气瘘发生率、植皮时间、术前和术后2周内血液感染学指标（WBC、中性粒细胞所占比例、降钙素原及C反应蛋白）,住院时间、住院费用以及总体预后.计量资料比较采用独立样本t检验和重复测量方差分析;率或构成比的比较采用Fisher确切概率法.结果 凡士林纱布组患者中,肠道空气瘘发生率为42.4％（14/33）,人体生物敷料组患者中无一例出现肠道空气瘘,两组比较,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.凡士林纱布组植皮时间为（15±6）d,人体生物敷料组为（11±3）d,两组比较,差异有统计学意义（t =2.10,P＜0.05）.凡士林纱布组患者术前、术后第1、3、7、14天降钙素原分别为（1.20±0.60） μg/L、（2.50±0.90） μg/L、（1.70±0.30） μg/L,（1.90±0.40） μg/L、（2.70±0.60）μg/L,显著高于人体生物敷料组的（0.90 ±0.30） μg/L、（1.80±0.60） μg/L、（1.30 ±0.50） μg/L、（0.60±0.20） μg/L、（0.30±0.07） μg/L,两组比较,差异有统计学意义（F=8.50,P＜0.05）;两组患者WBC、中性粒细胞所占比例和C反应蛋白分别由术前的（13.8±2.4）×10^9/L和（12.9±2.1）×10^9/L、0.90±0.09和0.88 ±0.06、（81±19） mg/L和（136±28） mg/L变化为术后第14天的（16.2±3.3）×10^9/L和（7.9±3.0）×10^9/L?     

Successful use of water-soluble contrast in patients with small bowel obstruction and virgin abdomen: A case report

Introduction and importanceNonoperative management of adhesive SBO is well established but remains a challenge in patients without prior abdominal surgery. We aim to report a case of successful nonoperative management with the use of enteral hypertonic water-soluble contrast administration in a patient with virgin abdomen.Case presentationA healthy 24-year old man with no previous surgery presented to the emergency room with one day of abdominal pain. A CT abdomen and pelvis was consistent with SBO without clear anatomic etiology. The patient refused surgical intervention, so we performed a trial of nonoperative management. On hospital day 2, a repeat CT A/P with enterally administered water-soluble contrast showed resolution of SBO. The patient has had no symptoms since hospital discharge on 6 months follow up.Clinical discussionSmall bowel obstruction is most commonly secondary to adhesions from prior surgeries.Even in patients with virgin abdomen, adhesions are the cause of SBO in 53%–73%.Recent studies in patients with virgin abdomen showed that 92.1% that underwent nonoperative management did not have a recurrence of SBO with mean follow up of 4.5 years. The use of water-soluble contrast in patients with virgin abdomen was reported to have 92–97% success rate.A meta-analysis showed a pooled prevalence of 7.7% of malignant etiology of SBO in these patients, more common with previous SBO admission or history of malignancy.ConclusionNonoperative management with the therapeutic use of hypertonic water-soluble contrast is a viable treatment option in select cases and avoids the morbidity of surgical exploration.     

Randomized controlled crossover study of the effect on proteinuria and blood pressure of adding an angiotensin II receptor antagonist to an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor in normotensive patients with chronic renal disease and proteinuria.

BACKGROUND: Proteinuria and hypertension have independent deleterious effects on the progression of chronic renal disease. The objectives of this study were to determine whether the addition of Candesartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, would reduce proteinuria and blood pressure in normotensive patients with chronic renal disease already receiving an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI). METHODS: This was an open randomized controlled crossover study conducted in a private consultant practice in Melbourne. Sixty patients, aged 23-75, who had chronic renal disease and stable proteinuria over 0.5 g in 24 h and were receiving an ACEI, were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomized to have 8 mg of Candesartan added in the first or second of two 12-week study periods. The primary end point was urine protein excretion, which was measured every 2 weeks for the 24-week period. Secondary end points included systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum creatinine, urea and potassium levels. Candesartan was added against a background of standard care, which included other blood pressure lowering therapy. RESULTS: Lower urine protein excretion 2.4 vs 2.0 g in 24 h (P<0.04, difference 0.45, CI 0.01, 0.9) and lower levels of systolic blood pressure 134 vs 128 mmHg (P<0.001, difference 6.4, CI 3.2, 9.6) and diastolic blood pressure 82 vs 80 mmHg (P<0.008, difference 2.7, CI 0.7, 4.6) were observed when Candesartan, 8 mg, was added to a regimen, which included an ACEI. No rise in serum creatinine occurred but there was a significant rise in urea, during the Candesartan arm of the study, from 12.3 to 13.8 mmol/l (P<0.001). The addition of 8 mg of Candesartan in normotensive patients with chronic renal disease receiving ACEI appeared safe and was not accompanied by adverse effects apart from postural hypotension in three patients and a serum potassium level of 6.3 mmol/l in one. CONCLUSIONS: In a private consulting practice setting, the addition of 8 mg of Candesartan in normotensive patients with chronic renal disease and proteinuria receiving an ACEI reduced proteinuria and blood pressure. The combination of Candesartan and ACEI appeared safe in this setting and may offer additional protection in preventing progression in chronic renal disease. Although the reduction of proteinuria was small (0.45 g/24 h) this reflected in part a lack of response in diabetic nephropathy and in part a marked rise in proteinuria after ceasing Candesartan in patients who did not complete the Candesartan arm of the study.     

Prospective study of 18FDG-PET in the detection and management of patients with lymph node metastases to the neck from an unknown primary tumor. Results from the DAHANCA-13 study

BACKGROUND: The benefit of a complementary fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan to standard workup for carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) and metastatic neck lesions was prospectively studied. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients underwent standardized diagnostic workup according to national guidelines including panendoscopies, multiple mucosal biopsies, and diagnostic CT/MRI scans. Median follow-up was 40 months (range, 2-65 months). RESULTS: In 60 eligible patients, FDG-PET indicated a primary tumor or metastatic disease in 30 patients (50%). Additional investigations confirmed a primary tumor in 18 patients: hypopharynx in 5, oropharynx in 5, nasopharynx in 2, lung in 1, axilla in 1, bone in 1, rectum in 1, as well as multiple metastatic lesions from CUP in 2 patients. In retrospect, MRI was able to detect 1 of the PET-detected primaries, leading to an overall detection rate of PET of 29% in CUP. A therapeutic change of treatment was made in 25% as a consequence of FDG-PET. PET before panendoscopy demonstrated fewer false-positive pathological foci. CONCLUSION: FDG-PET is a valuable tool in addition to conventional extensive workup in CUP and neck metastases. Consequently, FDG-PET is now recommended as an early diagnostic modality in the workup of these patients.