[Vacuum-assisted fascial closure in the management of diffuse peritonitis]

The surgical treatment of patients suffering from peritonitis with an open abdomen is commonplace. However scheduled as well as required dressing changes and peritoneal lavages mean a time- and costs-intensive challenge for the nursing and medical personnel. Since the introduction of the abdominal dressing-kit (KCI, Walluf, Germany) in the management of diffuse peritonitis one expects to influence the patients' recovery in a positive way due to the continuous evacuation of intraabdominal infectious fluids, augmentation of tissue's granulation, prevention of fascial retraction and prevention of an abdominal compartment syndrome. First on trial we established 2004 in our surgical department the use of the abdominal dressing-kit as a routine procedure in the management of diffuse peritonitis.