[Laparostoma-Avoidance and treatment of complications]

The open abdomen (OA) is an established concept for treating severe abdominal diseases. The most frequent reasons for placement of an open abdomen are abdominal sepsis (e.g. from intestinal perforation or anastomotic leakage), severe abdominal organ injury and abdominal compartment syndrome. The pathophysiology is much more complex than the surgeon's eye can see in an OA. The temporary closure of the abdominal wall ensures sufficient drainage of infected ascites, protection of the intestinal loops and conditioning of the abdominal wall in order to be able carry out definitive closure of the abdominal wall at the end of the surgical treatment. Negative peritoneal pressure therapy combined with fascia traction (with or without mesh) is well-established in the management of an open abdomen.