Management of abdominal wound dehiscence with porcine dermal collagen implant: report of a case

Abdominal wound dehiscence is a major postoperative complication with a high mortality rate. Although the mainstay of management is immediate operative reclosure, critically ill patients are better served by conservative temporary measures and delayed operative closure. The evidence in the literature regarding the use of biosynthetic implants in abdominal wound dehiscence is limited. To expand knowledge of management options, a case of abdominal wound dehiscence post hysterectomy in a critically ill 69-year-old woman managed with placement of a porcine dermal collagen implant is described. The porcine dermal collagen implant was placed in an infected field for the repair of the fascial defect under local anesthesia. No additional surgery was required and, 9 months post surgery, the patient remained healthy without evidence of residual hernia. Biosynthetic implants may be an effective alternative for the acute management of fascial dehiscence in critically ill patients.