Skin-Only Closure Versus Bogota Bag: A Comparative Study of Complete Fascial Approximation Rates.
Jawairia Nawaz1, Wasim Ahmad2, Muhammad Junaid Shah2
1Department of General Surgery, Medical Teaching Institution Bannu (MTI) District Headquarters Teaching Hospital, Dera Ismail Khan, PAK.
Cureus
|March 30, 2026
Summary
Skin-only closure is more effective for primary fascial closure in open abdomen cases compared to the Bogota bag technique. This study evaluated patients with peritonitis and abdominal trauma.
Area of Science:
- Surgical techniques
- Trauma surgery
- Abdominal surgery
Background:
- Open abdomen is a critical surgical approach for severe injuries and emergencies.
- Achieving primary fascial closure is a key goal in open abdomen management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of skin-only closure versus Bogota bag closure for primary fascial closure.
- To evaluate these techniques in patients with peritonitis or abdominal trauma.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 220 patients (aged 15-75) undergoing damage control surgery.
- Patients were divided into skin-only closure (Group A) and Bogota bag closure (Group B).
- Exclusion criteria included obesity and alternative management techniques.
Main Results:
- Primary fascial closure was achieved in 62.3% of all patients.
- Skin-only closure (Group A) had a success rate of 80.9%.
- Bogota bag closure (Group B) achieved primary fascial closure in 43.6% of cases (p<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Skin-only closure demonstrates superior efficacy in achieving primary fascial closure.
- This finding is significant for patients with peritonitis and abdominal trauma.
- The Bogota bag technique was less effective in this cohort.
