The man, the myth, the method: an inside look at the open abdomen and abdominal wall reconstruction

Management of the open abdomen (or the abdomen that will not close) and subsequent abdominal wall reconstruction remains one of the most vexing situations for even the most experienced trauma surgeon. The contribution to the literature on this topic by Dr Timothy Fabian and the Memphis group at the Elvis Presley Trauma Center resulted in the contemporary recognition that the initial management as well as the long-term approach dictates optimal outcomes for patients with this problem. Over three decades, the Memphis group, under Dr Fabian's leadership, performed numerous clinical studies that led to the publication of multiple articles (including a step-by-step how-to manual) for managing the open abdomen from onset to closure. The purpose of this review is to survey the consecutive studies from Memphis specifically that led to the development of a simplified management scheme that has stood the test of time.