The use of negative pressure in abdominal surgery

Abstract:

The treatment of patients with an open abdominal cavity has always posed a great challenge to surgeons. Final closing of the abdominal fascia, after certain surgical procedures due to an abdominal injury, complications after surgery or mitigation from abdominal compartment syndrome, can be impossible to do from a technical standpoint. Otherwise, the abdominal cavity must remain open to allow access for another procedure and the time required for the decompression of the abdominal cavity. The use of negative pressure by an AB Thera system greatly facilitates and improves the management of the open abdomen. Improvements in surgical care have changed the approach towards an open abdominal cavity, and advances in intensive care enabled surgeons to provide respiratory, cardiovascular and diuretic support to the patient in the periooperative period. Today, surgeons are often faced with patients with an open abdominal cavity, frequently with extreme edematous intestines that take up a lot more volume than in the previous, physiological condition. Fortunately, the constant improvements in negative pressure therapy, as a method of first choice in the management of the open abdomen, allows for a more effective treatment. 

Key words:
abdominal compartment syndrome; intraabdominal hypertension; open abdomen