Page 78 - Virtual Vascular Vol 20

Alternative Abdominal Closure Tecniques

Occasionally closure of midline abdominal laparotomy wounds becomes challenging and
alternative closure techniques has to be used. In this case, the patient underwent multiple
laparotomies for spontaneous intra-abdominal bleeding which rendered him too unstable for
abdominal closure.

Damage control surgery was performed where the immediate threat to life was dealt with – in
his case bowel resection and intra-abdominal packing and a temporary abdominal dressing
was applied. Once the patient was more stable, the sheath was too far retracted and the ab-
domen could not be closed without tension. Biological mesh was used to cover the abdominal
wound
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