Intra-abdominal Pressure Monitoring in Open Abdomen Management with Dynamic Abdominal Closure.

The importance of elevated intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) have been recognized in critical care for its potential damaging effects. But, quantification of IAP values may be useful as a clinical tool for determining efficacy of coughing and straining for functional recovery of OA patients. We would like to evaluate IAP generated in an OA patient and the effect of negative pressure therapy (NPT) and dynamic abdominal closure systems (ABRA) on the IAP values at rest and during coughing and straining and compare those with IAP measurements of closed abdomen after standard open elective colorectal surgery (non-OA). Eight OA and eight non-OA patients were included in this study. OA patient with NPT and ABRA (OA + NA), OA patient without NPT and ABRA completely unbraced (OA-NA) (NA stands for NPT and ABRA), and non-OA patients underwent IAP measurements at rest, during coughing, and during straining via transurethral catheter. There was no difference in the mean of IAP measurement at rest in OA-NA (6.1 mmHg), OA + NA (6.5 mmHg), and non-OA (6.0 mmHg) patients. During coughing, IAP of OA-NA, OA + NA, and non-OA patients were 11.5, 19.1, and 22.0 mmHg and during straining, IAP of OA-NA, OA + NA, and non-OA patients were 11.5, 17.5, and 23.5 mmHg, respectively. Application of NPT in conjunction with ABRA did not increase IAP at rest but provided significant IAP increase in OA + NA patients, when compared to OA-NA patients during coughing and straining. NPT in conjunction with ABRA offers the advantage of increase of IAP during coughing and straining.

Delayed Closure of 61 Open Abdomen Patients Based on an Algorithm.

Hemodynamic resuscitation, source control, and delayed abdominal closure are the three fundamental steps for open abdomen (OA) management. When to start delayed abdominal closure and how to determine which delayed closure method should be applied to each OA patient are not clarified in the literature. We evaluated an algorithm that was developed to address these two questions. A retrospective chart review was conducted for OA patients treated for according to the algorithm. When hemodynamic stabilization and source control using negative pressure therapy resulted in regression of sepsis and decreased procalcitonin levels, patients were assigned to either the skin-only or fascial closure groups according to their Björck scores and open abdominal fascial closure (OAFC) scores. The novel OAFC scoring system was created by adding age and malignancy to the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score. For skin-only closure, skin flaps and skin grafts were used; for fascial closure, an abdominal re-approximation anchor system (ABRA) or ABRA plus biologic mesh was applied. From January 2008 through September 2014, 108 OA patients were managed based on the algorithm; 61 were included in this study. Abdominal closure rate was 90.2 % (55/61). Overall hospital mortality rate was 11.4 % (7/61). Small hernias developed in only 12.5 % (4/32) of the fascial closure group. In this retrospective study, the algorithm with the novel OAFC score provided practical and valid guidance to clarify when to start delayed abdominal closure and which delayed closure method to use for each OA patient.

Management of a Septic Open Abdomen Patient with Spontaneous Jejunal Perforation after Emergent C/S with Confounding Factor of Mild Acute Pancreatitis.

Introduction. We report the management of a septic Open Abdomen (OA) patient by the help of negative pressure therapy (NPT) and abdominal reapproximation anchor (ABRA) system in pregnant woman with spontaneous jejunal perforation after emergent cesarean section (C/S) with confounding factor of mild acute pancreatitis (AP). Presentation of Case. A 29-year-old and 34-week pregnant woman with AP underwent C/S. She was arrested after anesthesia induction and responded to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). There were only ash-colored serosanguinous fluid within abdomen during C/S. After C/S, she was transferred to intensive care unit (ICU) with vasopressor support. On postoperative 1st day, she underwent reoperation due to fecal fluid coming near the drainage. Leakage point could not be identified exactly and operation had to be deliberately abbreviated due to hemodynamic instability. NPT was applied. Two days later source control was provided by conversion of enteroatmospheric fistula (EAF) to jejunostomy. ABRA was added and OA was closed. No hernia developed at 10-month follow-up period. Conclusion. NPT application in septic OA patient may gain time to patient until adequate source control could be achieved. Using ABRA in conjunction with NPT increases the fascial closure rate in infected OA patient.

Laparoscopic Resection of Cholecystocolic Fistula and Subtotal Cholecystectomy by Tri-Staple in a Type V Mirizzi Syndrome.

The Mirizzi syndrome (MS) is an impacted stone in the cystic duct or Hartmann's pouch that mechanically obstructs the common bile duct (CBD). We would like to report laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (SC) and resection of cholecystocolic fistula by the help of Tri-Staple™ in a case with type V MS and cholecystocolic fistula, for first time in the literature. A 24-year-old man was admitted to emergency department with the complaint of abdominal pain, intermittent fever, jaundice, and diarrhea. Two months ago with the same complaint, ERCP was performed. Laparoscopic resection of cholecystocolic fistula and subtotal cholecystectomy were performed by the help of Tri-Staple. At the eight-month follow-up, he was symptom-free with normal liver function tests. In a patient with type V MS and cholecystocolic fistula, laparoscopic resection of cholecystocolic fistula and SC can be performed by using Tri-Staple safely.

Treatment of delayed jejunal perforation after irreducible femoral hernia repair with open abdomen management and delayed abdominal closure with skin flap approximation.

INTRODUCTION: We show the management of a delayed jejunal perforation, after irreducible femoral hernia operation with the help of negative pressure therapy (NPT) and delayed abdominal closure (DAC) with skin flap approximation in an elderly woman for the first time in the literature. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 76 year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department with irreducible femoral hernia and ileus. After examining the femoral hernia sac and noting the presence of viable intestine within the hernia sac, a femoral hernia repair with mesh was performed. At postoperative day 1 she started to defecate and oral intake was started. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 3. On postoperative day 8, she was re-admitted to the emergency department with septic shock. The patient underwent reoperation. Septic abdomen and delayed perforation from strangulated part of the jejunum were seen. A jejunostomy was opened and patient was treated with open abdomen management and delayed abdominal closure with skin flap. The ostomy was closed 4 months later. DISCUSSION: The exact mechanism of delayed presentation of small bowel perforation remains controversial. Delayed intestinal perforation has rarely been reported after blunt abdominal trauma (BAT), conductive burn injuries of the bowel with cautery, or necrosis of strangulated bowel in a hernia sac. Open abdomen (OA) management is a life-saving and challenging strategy in severe generalized peritonitis. CONCLUSION: Delayed bowel perforation may develop after irreducible femoral hernia surgery. OA management with NPT and DAC with skin flap approximation are optimal treatment modalities for the hemodynamically instable patient.

Management of Septic Open Abdomen in a Morbid Obese Patient with Enteroatmospheric Fistula by Using Standard Abdominal Negative Pressure Therapy in Conjunction with Intrarectal One.

Introduction. Management of open abdomen (OA) with enteroatmospheric fistula (EAF) in morbid obese patient with comorbid disease is challenging. We would like to report the management of septic OA in morbid obese patient with EAF which developed after strangulated recurrent giant incisional hernia repair. We would also like to emphasize, in this case, the conversion of EAF to ileostomy by the help of second Negative Pressure Therapy (NPT) on ostomy side, and the chance of new EAF occurrence was reduced with intrarectal NPT. Case Presentation. 62-year-old morbid obese woman became an OA patient with EAF after strangulated recurrent giant hernia. EAF was converted to ostomy with pezzer drain by the help of second NPT on ostomy. Colonic distention was reduced with the third NPT application via rectum. Abdominal reapproximation anchor (ABRA) system was used for delayed abdominal closure. Conclusions. Using the 2nd NPT on ostomy side may help in the maturation of the ostomy created in a difficult condition in an open abdomen. Using the 3rd NPT through rectum may decrease the chance of EAF formation by reducing the pressure difference between intraluminal pressure and extraluminal pressure in hollow viscera.