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The open abdomen: practical implications for the practicing surgeon.

Clay Cothren Burlew¹

¹Department of Surgery, Denver Health Medical Center and the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA. clay.cothren@dhha.org

American Journal of Surgery

|September 25, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The open abdomen requires careful intensive care unit management, including fluid resuscitation and enteral nutrition. Key surgical steps involve temporary covering, enteric repair, anastomosis, and eventual abdominal closure for patient recovery.

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Area of Science:

Surgical critical care
Abdominal surgery
Intensive care medicine

Background:

The open abdomen is a common outcome of damage-control surgery and abdominal compartment syndrome.
Current intensive care unit (ICU) management strategies for open abdomens are evolving.

Discussion:

Effective management involves meticulous attention to fluid resuscitation, nutritional support, and overall patient stability.
Surgical techniques focus on protecting abdominal contents with appropriate temporary coverings.
Enteric injury repair and strategic anastomosis placement are crucial, avoiding atmospheric exposure and excessive manipulation.

Key Insights:

Acquiring enteral access for nutrition is a critical component of care.
The ultimate goal is secure abdominal closure.
A thorough understanding of these multifaceted factors is essential for surgeons managing open abdomens.

Outlook:

Continued evolution of ICU protocols for open abdomen patients.
Advancements in temporary abdominal closure techniques.
Improved outcomes through integrated surgical and critical care approaches.