BACKGROUND: Abdominal wall reconstruction is a critical and challenging step after laparostomy. We describe a simple tensionfree technique for abdominal wall reconstruction using prosthesis over the granulation tissue. METHODS: This technique is described and applied prospectively in 17 patients treated from 1998 to 2005. Time and indication for laparotomy surgical procedure duration and postoperative course were analyzed. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 41 years old. The indications for laparostomy were peritonitis in 8 patients, abdominal trauma in another 8 and necrotizing pancreatitis in one. Average time until abdominal reconstruction was 14 months. Mean operating time was 130 minutes. Average postoperative hospital length of stay was 2,6 days among patients without postoperative complications. There was no death or abdominal compartment syndrome related to the technique. Mean follow-up time was 24 months and there has been no evidence of incisional hernia up to now. CONCLUSION: The technique described is easy to perform and reproduce, avoids unnecessary manipulation of abdominal content and allows a tension-free repair. This technique showed no incidence of abdominal compartment syndrome and incisional hernia.
Hernia, ventral; Laparotomy; Abdominal wall; Surgical mesh; Digestive system surgical procedures
