A simple mass-closure technique compared with layered technique in the closure of high-risk abdominal wounds

A retrospective comparison of the outcome of patients with ruptured gravid uterus following obstructed labour who had abdominal closure by a simple mass-closure technique (using non-absorbable Nylon suture) with their counterparts who had the more popularly used layered technique. The clinical features on admission, operation details and wound complications were compared. Thirty-one patients who had mass-closure were compared with 103 that had the layered technique. Nineteen percent of the former had wound infections or partial dehiscences while none had complete dehiscence or hernias. On the other hand these respective complications occurred in 32%, 9.7% and 1.9% of the layered group. This mass-closure technique has the advantages of low-cost, speed and safety. We advocate that it be used on all high-risk abdominal wounds.