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[The "abdominal zipper": a surgical surprise]
V Martínez Ibáñez1, J Lloret, J Boix Ochoa
1Departamento de Cirugía Pediátrica, Hospital Materno-Infantil Vall d'Hebrón, Barcelona.
Summary
A novel zipper device for laparotomy closures in newborns with abdominal issues can prevent damage. This innovation allows daily bowel checks, facilitating timely surgical intervention and improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Neonatal Care
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Mandatory reoperations like second looks and enterostomies are common in surgical departments.
- Abdominal wall damage during laparotomy is a concern, particularly in neonates.
Observation:
- A zipper device was employed in a newborn experiencing neonatal sepsis and intestinal ischemia.
- This zipper facilitated repeated abdominal assessments.
Findings:
- The zipper allowed for daily examination of the bowel.
- Appropriate surgical procedures were performed based on daily assessments.
- The zipper was successfully removed seven days post-surgery, followed by abdominal wall closure.
Implications:
- This zipper technique offers a potential solution to minimize abdominal wall damage in neonatal laparotomies.
- It enables frequent monitoring of abdominal contents, crucial for managing conditions like intestinal ischemia.
- This approach may enhance surgical management and recovery for critically ill newborns.