The Convatec Wound Manager: a new stoma appliance

Very occasionally, the surgeon must deal with a complicated abdominal wound which drains large volumes of fluid. One such situation arises when a postoperative enteric fistula occurs in association with a partial or complete dehiscence of a laparotomy wound. Another example occurs when the abdominal cavity is left open in the management of severe intra-abdominal sepsis. Both result in large abdominal wounds that are not satisfactorily contained by conventional dressings. Frequent changes of dressing are required and considerable skin excoriation and damage may occur. In addition, quantification of fluid output from a fistula may be grossly inaccurate. We wish to report the use of a new stoma appliance, the Convatec Wound Manager (Squibb Surgicare) which facilitates the management of these wounds. The case described illustrates many of the advantages of the appliance.