Temporary Abdominal Closure after Surgical Repair of the Iliac Artery Rupture due to Vascular Type Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Abstract

A 39-year-old man was found to have left iliac artery rupture, and was transferred to our department. Emergency surgical repair was done, however, his intra- and postoperative condition precluded primary abdominal closure. On the 8th postoperative day, temporary abdominal closure (TAC) was performed using Composix Mesh TM and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). On the 19th day after the first surgery, an emergency reoperation was needed because of the rupture of the common hepatic artery aneurysm, of which there was no finding on admission. After the reoperation of the hepatic artery aneurysm, TAC was again performed using new Composix Mesh. On the 43rd day after the first surgery, the abdominal wall reconstruction without Composix Mesh was done using components separation and the anterior rectus abdominis sheath turnover flap method. On the 106th day after the first surgery, he had recovered well and was discharged. The genetic testing revealed COL3A1 mutation, which is specific for vascular type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. When long-term open abdominal management is necessary after the abdominal aortic surgery, TAC with Composix Mesh and NPWT may be a useful alternative. Artery rupture in young people is a finding that should be considered suspicious for vascular type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which is difficult to treat.