Patient-reported consequences of a burst abdomen
Madeline Kvist1,2, Thomas Korgaard Jensen1,2, Dunja Kokotovic1,2
1Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte.
Danish Medical Journal
|November 28, 2025
Summary
Patients experiencing a burst abdomen after emergency laparotomy report lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This complication significantly impacts daily activities, self-care, and mobility in the short term.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Complications
- Patient-Reported Outcomes
- Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL)
Background:
- Burst abdomen is a severe complication post-emergency laparotomy, increasing risks of mortality, morbidity, incisional hernia, and decreased body image.
- No prior studies have investigated Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in patients with a burst abdomen.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and describe patient-reported consequences of a burst abdomen using HRQoL measures.
- To assess the impact of burst abdomen on patient well-being following emergency laparotomy.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, observational single-centre cohort study of 281 patients undergoing emergency laparotomy.
- Standardized abdominal wall closure documented; HRQoL assessed using EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level questionnaire at multiple post-operative time points (baseline, day 4, 30, 90, 180).
Main Results:
- 15 patients (5.3%) experienced a burst abdomen.
- Patients with burst abdomen reported significantly lower HRQoL at day 30 (46.7% vs 25.2%; p=0.035) compared to those without.
- Lower HRQoL in burst abdomen patients was attributed to negative impacts on usual activities, self-care, and mobility.
Conclusions:
- Burst abdomen following emergency laparotomy leads to a short-term decline in patient quality of life.
- Patients with burst abdomen report increased difficulties with usual activities, self-care, and mobility post-surgery.
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