The journal of trauma and acute care surgery
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Jan 2016
ReviewInternational consensus conference on open abdomen in trauma.
A part of damage-control laparotomy is to leave the fascial edges and the skin open to avoid abdominal compartment syndrome and allow further explorations. This condition, known as open abdomen (OA), although effective, is associated with severe complications. Our aim was to develop evidence-based recommendations to define indications for OA, techniques for temporary abdominal closure, management of enteric fistulas, and methods of definitive wall closure. ⋯ OA and negative-pressure techniques improve the care of trauma patients, but closure must be achieved early to avoid complications.