The Prevalence Rate and Preventive Methods of Abdominal Wall Hernia in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Pan-peritonitis

Abstract

We retrospectively examined the complications of wound closure and methods for preventing complications in patients undergoing surgery for pan-peritonitis. Sixty patients with acute abdomen underwent emergency surgery after introducing SSI surveillance at our institution. We measured the rate of SSI, postoperative ileus and abdominal wall hernia and preventive measures against these complications between cases with (group A) and without (group B) pan-peritonitis. SSI developed in 78% of patients in group A and 33% of patients in group B (p=0.002), postoperative ileus developed in 6% of patients in group A and 5% of patients in group B (p=NS), and abdominal wall hernia occurred in 17% of patients in group A and 0% of patients in group B (p=0.024). Perforation of the lower intestinal tract, surgery for pan-peritonitis and performance of colostomy were risk factors related to surgery for acute abdomen. Intensive washing of the abdomen, wound closure under decreased tension, and insertion of a subcutaneous drain were performed for the prevention of complications. Attention must be paid to the possible development of abdominal wall hernia in patients with pan-peritonitis caused by perforation of the lower intestinal tract post-colostomy.