Skip to main content

Open Abdomen: Historical Notes

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Open Abdomen

Part of the book series: Hot Topics in Acute Care Surgery and Trauma ((HTACST))

Abstract

The story of “open abdomen” management (OAM) is reminiscent of many other advances in medicine: described, forgotten, reinvented, ridiculed, and finally accepted. The science of OAM continues to unfold and presents us with a fascinating glimpse into the mysteries of pressure–perfusion phenomena, cytokine response to injury and sepsis, the splanchnic bed, and its role as the motor for multiorgan failure, just to name a few. It is a rational surgical approach, based on solid physiologic principles. Many of the details of OAM management will be discussed in detail in other pages of this work. This chapter will present the evolutionary history of OAM from its origin to the current state.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Ogilvie WH. The late complications of abdominal war wounds. Lancet. 1940;2:253–56. Quoted in: Kreis BE, Otterloo JCA, Kreis EW. Open abdomen management: A review of its history and a proposed management algorithm. Med Sci Monit. 2013;19:524–533.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ogilvie WH. Surgical lessons of war applied to civil practice. Br Med J. 1945;1(4400):619–23. Quoted in: Kreis BE, Otterloo JCA, Kreis EW. Open abdomen management: a review of its history and a proposed management algorithm. Med Sci Monit. 2013;19:524–533.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Ertel W, Oberholzer A, Platz A, et al. Incidence and clinical pattern of the abdominal compartment syndrome after “damage-control” laparotomy in 311 patients with severe abdominal and/or pelvic trauma. Crit Care Med. 2000;28(6):1747.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Steinberg D. On leaving the peritoneal cavity open in acute generalized suppurative peritonitis. Am J Surg. 1979;137(2):216–20.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Duff JH, Moffat J. Abdominal sepsis managed by leaving abdomen open. Surgery. 1981;90(4):774–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Maetani S, Tobe T. Open peritoneal drainage as effective treatment of advanced peritonitis. Surgery. 1981;90:804–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Mughal MM, Bancewicz J, Irving MH. “Laparostomy”: a technique for the management of intractable intra-abdominal sepsis. Br J Surg. 1986;73(4):253–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Schein M, Saadia R, Decker GG. The open management of the septic abdomen. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1986;163(6):587–92.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Schein M, Saadia R, Jamieson JR, Decker GA. The “sandwich technique” in the management of the open abdomen. Br J Surg. 1986;73(5):369–70.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Schein M, Saadia R, Freinkel Z, Decker G. Aggressive treatment of severe diffuse peritonitis: a prospective study. Br J Surg. 1988;75(2):173–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Garcia-Sabrido JL, Tallado JM, Christou NV, et al. Treatment of severe intra-abdominal sepsis and/or necrotic foci by an “open-abdomen” approach. Zipper and zipper-mesh techniques. Arch Surg. 1988;123(2):152–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Howard CA, Turner WW. Successful treatment of early, postoperative, necrotizing infection of the abdominal wall. Crit Care Med. 1989;17(6):586–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Hedderich GS, Wexler MJ, McLean AP, Meakins JL. The septic abdomen: open management with Marlex mesh with a zipper. Surgery. 1986;99(4):399–408.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Mastboom WJ, Kuypers HH, Schoots FJ, Wobbes T. Small-bowel perforation complicating the open treatment of generalized peritonitis. Arch Surg. 1989;124(6):689–92.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Ivatury RR, Nallathambi M, Rao PM, et al. Open management of the septic abdomen: therapeutic and prognostic considerations based on APACHE II. Crit Care Med. 1989;17(6):511–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Ivatury RR, Nallathambi M, Rohman M, et al. Open management of the posttraumatic septic abdomen. Am Surg. 1990;56(9):548–52.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Wittmann DH, Aprahamian C, Bergstein JM. Etappenlavage: advanced diffuse peritonitis managed by planned multiple laparotomies utilizing zippers, slide fastener, and Velcro analogue for temporary abdominal closure. World J Surg. 1990;14(2):218–26.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Christou NV, Barie PS, Dellinger EP, et al. Surgical Infection Society intra-abdominal infection study. Prospective evaluation of management techniques and outcome. Arch Surg. 1993;128(2):193–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Robledo FA, Luque-de-león E, Suárez R, et al. Open versus closed management of the abdomen in the surgical treatment of severe secondary peritonitis: a randomized clinical trial. Surg Infect. 2007;8(1):63–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. van Ruler O, Lamme B, Gouma DJ, et al. Variables associated with positive findings at relaparotomy in patients with secondary peritonitis. Crit Care Med. 2007;35(2):468–76.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Rotondo MF, Schwab CW, McGonigal MD, et al. “Damage control”: an approach for improved survival in exsanguinating penetrating abdominal injury. J Trauma. 1993;35(3):375–82.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Roberts DJ, Ball CG, Feliciano DV, et al. History of the innovation of damage control for Management of Trauma Patients. Ann Surg. 2015;262(1):38–46. 1902-2016

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Ivatury RR, Simon RJ, Islam S, et al. A prospective randomized study of end points of resuscitation after major trauma: global oxygen transport indices versus organ-specific gastric mucosal pH. J Am Coll Surg. 1996;183(2):145–54.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. McKinley BA, Kozar RA, Cocanour CS, Valdivia A, Sailors RM, Ware DN, Moore FA. Normal versus supranormal oxygen delivery goals in shock resuscitation: the response is the same. J Trauma. 2002;53(5):825–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Richardson JD, Trinkle JK. Hemodynamic and respiratory alterations with increased intra-abdominal pressure. J Surg Res. 1976;20(5):401.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Burch JM, Ortiz VB, Richardson JR, et al. Abbreviated laparotomy and planned reoperation for critically injured patients. Ann Surg. 1992;215:476–84.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  27. Morris JA Jr, Eddy VA, Blinman TA, et al. The staged celiotomy for trauma. Issues in unpacking and reconstruction. Ann Surg. 1993;217(5):576–84.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  28. Meldrum DR, Moore FA, Moore EE, et al. Prospective characterization and selective management of the abdominal compartment syndrome. Am J Surg. 1997;174(6):667–72.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Ivatury RR, Diebel L, Porter JM, et al. Intra-abdominal hypertension and the abdominal compartment syndrome. Surg Clin North Am. 1997;77(4):783–800.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Mayberry JC, Mullins RJ, Crass RA, et al. Prevention of abdominal compartment syndrome by absorbable mesh prosthesis closure. Arch Surg. 1997;132(9):957–62.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Ivatury RR, Porter JM, Simon RJ, et al. Intra-abdominal hypertension after life-threatening penetrating abdominal trauma: prophylaxis, incidence, and clinical relevance to gastric mucosal pH and abdominal compartment syndrome. J Trauma. 1998;44(6):1016.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Sugrue M, Jones F, Jahangir Jannua K. Temporary abdominal closure: a prospective evaluation of its effects on renal and respiratory physiology. J Trauma. 1998;45(5):914–21.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Schwab CW. Master surgeon lecture: damage control: 20 years of experience. aast.org. Accessed 8 Dec 2016.

  34. Schwab CW. Violence: America’s uncivil war–presidential address, Sixth Scientific Assembly of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma. J Trauma. 1993;35(5):657–65.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Ivatury R, Cheatham M, Malbrain M, Sugrue M, editors. Abdominal compartment syndrome. Texas: Landes Boscience; 2006.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Cheatham ML, Malbrain ML, Kirkpatrick A, et al. Results from the international conference of experts on intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome. II. Recommendations. Intensive Care Med. 2007;33(6):951–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Kirkpatrick AW, Roberts DJ, De Waele J, et al. Intra-abdominal hypertension and the abdominal compartment syndrome: updated consensus definitions and clinical practice guidelines from the World Society of the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome. Intensive Care Med. 2013;39(7):1190–206.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  38. Kirkpatrick AW, De Waele JJ, De Laet I, et al. WSACS--The Abdominal Compartment Society. A Society dedicated to the study of the physiology and pathophysiology of the abdominal compartment and its interactions with all organ systems. Anaesth Intensive Ther. 2015;47(3):191–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Cheatham ML, Safcsak K. Is the evolving management of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome improving survival? Crit Care Med. 2010;38(2):402–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Cheatham ML, Safcsak K, Llerena LE, et al. Long-term physical, mental, and functional consequences of abdominal decompression. J Trauma. 2004;56(2):237–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Balogh ZJ, Martin A, van Wessem KP, et al. Mission to eliminate postinjury abdominal compartment syndrome. Arch Surg. 2011;146(8):938–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Pruitt BA Jr. Protection from excessive resuscitation: “pushing the pendulum back”. J Trauma. 2000;49(3):567.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Joseph B, Azim A, Zangbar B, et al. Improving mortality in trauma laparotomy through the evolution of damage control resuscitation: analysis of 1,030 consecutive trauma laparotomies. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Wise R, Roberts DJ, Vandervelden S, et al. Awareness and knowledge of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome: results of an international survey. Anaesth Intensive Ther. 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Strang SG, Van Lieshout EM, Verhoeven RA, et al. Recognition and management of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome; a survey among Dutch surgeons. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2016;43(1):85–98.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  46. Zhou JC, Zhao HC, Pan KH, et al. Current recognition and management of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome among tertiary Chinese intensive care physicians. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2011;12(2):156–62.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  47. Kaussen T, Steinau G, Srinivasan PK, et al. Recognition and management of abdominal compartment syndrome among German pediatric intensivists: results of a national survey. Ann Intensive Care. 2012;2(Suppl 1):S8.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  48. Hunt L, Frost SA, Newton PJ, et al. A survey of critical care nurses’ knowledge of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome. Aust Crit Care. 2016; pii: S1036-7314(16)00030-8.

    Google Scholar 

  49. van Hensbroek PB, Wind J, Dijkgraaf MGW, et al. Temporary closure of the open abdomen: a systematic review on delayed primary fascial closure in patients with an open abdomen. World J Surg. 2009;33(2):199–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Acosta S, Bjarnason T, Petersson U, et al. Multicentre prospective study of fascial closure rate after open abdomen with vacuum and mesh-mediated fascial traction. Br J Surg. 2011;98(5):735–43.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Teixeira PGR, Salim A, Inaba K, et al. A prospective look at the current state of open abdomens. Am Surg. 2008;74(10):891–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Miller RS, Morris JA, Diaz JJ, et al. Complications after 344 damage-control open celiotomies. J Trauma. 2005;59(6):1365–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Schecter WP, Ivatury RR, Rotondo MF, Hirshberg A. Open abdomen after trauma and abdominal sepsis: a strategy for management. J Am Coll Surg. 2006;203(3):390–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Campbell A, Chang M, Fabian T, et al. Management of the open abdomen: from initial operation to definitive closure. Am Surg. 2009;75(11 Suppl):S1–22.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Bee TK, Croce MA, Magnotti LJ, et al. Temporary abdominal closure techniques: a prospective randomized trial comparing polyglactin 910 mesh and vacuum-assisted closure. J Trauma. 2008;65(2):337–42. discussion 342–4

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Vertrees A, Greer L, Pickett C, et al. Modern management of complex open abdominal wounds of war: a 5-year experience. J Am Coll Surg. 2008;207(6):801–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Pliakos I, Papavramidis TS, Mihalopoulos N, et al. Vacuum-assisted closure in severe abdominal sepsis with or without retention sutured sequential fascial closure: a clinical trial. Surgery. 2010;148(5):947–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Brock WB, Barker DE, Burns RP. Temporary closure of open abdominal wounds: the vacuum pack. Am Surg. 1995;61(1):30–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Barker DE, Green JM, Maxwell RA, et al. Experience with vacuum-pack temporary abdominal wound closure in 258 trauma and general and vascular surgical patients. J Am Coll Surg. 2007;204(5):784–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Miller PR, Thompson JT, Faler BJ, et al. Late fascial closure in lieu of ventral hernia: the next step in open abdomen management. J Trauma. 2002;53(5):843–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Garner GB, Ware DN, Cocanour CS, et al. Vacuum-assisted wound closure provides early fascial reapproximation in trauma patients with open abdomens. Am J Surg. 2001;182:630–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Miller PR, Meredith JW, Johnson JC, Chang MC. Prospective evaluation of vacuum-assisted fascial closure after open abdomen. Ann Surg. 2004;239(5):608–16.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  63. Cothren CC, Moore EE, Johnson JL, et al. One hundred percent fascial approximation with sequential abdominal closure of the open abdomen. Am J Surg. 2006;192(2):238–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Amin AI. Topical negative pressure in managing severe peritonitis: a positive contribution? World J Gastroenterol. 2009;15(27):3394.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  65. Padalino P, Dionigi G, Minoja G, et al. Fascia-to-fascia closure with abdominal topical negative pressure for severe abdominal infections: preliminary results in a department of general surgery and intensive care unit. Surg Infect. 2010;11(6):523–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Cheatham ML, Demetriades D, Fabian TC, et al. Prospective study examining clinical outcomes associated with a negative pressure wound therapy system and Barker’s vacuum packing technique. World J Surg. 2013;37(9):2018–30.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  67. Kirkpatrick AW, Roberts DJ, Faris PD. Active negative pressure peritoneal therapy after abbreviated laparotomy: the intraperitoneal vacuum randomized controlled trial. Ann Surg. 2015;262(1):38–46.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Bruhin A, Ferreira F, Chariker M, et al. Systematic review and evidence based recommendations for the use of negative pressure wound therapy in the open abdomen. Int J Surg. 2014;12(10):1105–14.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Björck M, Kirkpatrick AW, Cheatham M, et al. Amended classification of the open abdomen. Scand J Surg. 2016;105(1):5–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Coccolini F, Catena F, Montori G, et al. IROAM: the International Register of Open Abdomen.: an international effort to better understand the open abdomen: call for participants. World J Emerg Surg. 2015;10:37.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  71. Diaz JJ Jr, Cullinane DC, Dutton WD, et al. The management of the open abdomen in trauma and emergency general surgery: part 1-damage control. J Trauma. 2010;68(6):1425–38.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Diaz JJ Jr, Dutton WD, Ott MM, et al. Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma: a review of the management of the open abdomen--part 2 “management of the open abdomen”. J Trauma. 2011;71(2):502–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Diaz JJ Jr, Cullinane DC, Khwaja KA, et al. Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma: management of the open abdomen, part III-review of abdominal wall reconstruction. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2013;75(3):376–86.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Dubose JJ, Scalea TM, Holcomb JB, et al. Open abdominal management after damage-control laparotomy for trauma: a prospective observational American Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter study. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2013;74(1):113–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Bradley MJ, Dubose JJ, Scalea TM, et al. Independent predictors of enteric fistula and abdominal sepsis after damage control laparotomy: results from the prospective AAST Open Abdomen registry. JAMA Surg. 2013;148(10):947–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Pommerening MJ, DuBose JJ, Zielinski MD, et al. Time to first take-back operation predicts successful primary fascial closure in patients undergoing damage control laparotomy. Surgery. 2014;156(2):431.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. Chiara O, Cimbanassi S, Biffl W, et al. International consensus conference on open abdomen in trauma. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2016;80(1):173–83.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Sartelli M, Abu-Zidan FM, Ansaloni L, et al. The role of the open abdomen procedure in managing severe abdominal sepsis: WSES position paper. World J Emerg Surg. 2015;10:35.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  79. Bruns BR, Ahmad SA, OʼMeara L, et al. Nontrauma open abdomens: a prospective observational study. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2016;80(4):631–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Loftus TJ, Jordan JR, Croft CA, et al. Temporary abdominal closure for trauma and intra-abdominal sepsis: different patients, different outcomes. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2016. [Epub ahead of print].

    Google Scholar 

  81. Cristaudo A, Jennings SB, Hitos K, et al. Treatments and other prognostic factors in the management of the open abdomen: a systematic review. Published Ahead-of-Print Nov 2016 JTACS.

    Google Scholar 

  82. Atema JJ, de Vries FE, Boermeester MA. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the repair of potentially contaminated and contaminated abdominal wall defects. Am J Surg. 2016;212(5):982–95.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. Schein M. In: Ivatury R, Cheatham M, Malbrain M, Sugrue M, editors. Abdominal Compartment Syndrome. WSACS; 2006. p. 5.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rao R. Ivatury MD, FACS, FCCM .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Ivatury, R.R. (2018). Open Abdomen: Historical Notes. In: Coccolini, F., Ivatury, R., Sugrue, M., Ansaloni, L. (eds) Open Abdomen. Hot Topics in Acute Care Surgery and Trauma. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48072-5_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48072-5_1

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-48071-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-48072-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics