BACKGROUND Wound infections after abdominal surgery are still frequent types of nosocomial infections. Suture materials might serve as a vehicle for mechanical transport of bacteria into the surgical wound. To prevent the contamination of suture material in surgical wounds, triclosan-coated suture materials with antibacterial activity was developed. We here report a prospective randomized pathw...

BACKGROUND Development of incisional hernia after open abdominal surgery remains a major cause of post-operative morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine the current practice of surgeons in terms of access to and closure of the abdominal cavity in elective open surgery. METHODS Twelve surgical departments of the INSECT-Trial group documented the following variables for 50 consecutive...

Abstract Aims Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a rare phenomenon characterised by encasement and obstruction of the bowel thickened peritoneum. In our centre, EPS laparotomies are typically managed with open abdomen (OA) planned relook at 24-48 hours. The aim study was to compare ABTHERATM negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) packing (betadine-soaked gauze) as temporary abdominal c...

The incidence of wound dehiscence and incisional hernia after two methods of abdominal wound closure (layered closure with retention sutures and single-layer "mass closure") was studied in a randomised prospective clinical trial in a consecutive series of 200 patients. Dehiscence occurred in 1% of patients and herniation in 4-7%; the incidence of these complications was similar with both method...

Use of Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) for treatment of open abdomen has been established predominantly in cases of severe abdominal trauma, resulting with high percentage of primary fascial closure. The role of VAC technique in cases of severe diffuse peritonitis is not definitely incorrigible. However, in cases of severe complicated abdominal sepsis VAC come up as a last resort.