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Introduction: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is widely used in the treatment of open abdomen (OA). The use of dynamic fascial sutures (DFS) increases the rate of successful delayed closure by reducing fascial lateralization. We recently published a prospective controlled trial including 87 patients undergoing abdominal surgery for secondary peritonitis between 2007 and 2012. Patients were treated with NPWT and DFS for approximation of fascial edges. The present study represents a follow-up assessment of these patients 5-9 years after OA treatment with NPWT and DFS., Methods: The 39 patients still alive were included in the recent study according to the protocol of our last study in 2013. All patients received a questionnaire regarding long-term complications after OA treatment between 2007 and 2012. Mean follow-up was 5-9 years. Analyzed parameters included pain, the presence of incisional hernia, and subsequent surgical interventions. Results were analyzed quantitatively., Results: One patient had deceased since the last publication in 2013, and hence 38 patients were included in the current study. The median age was 60.9 (25.2-86.1) years, and 17 (44.7%) were females. Overall 56.3% of the original 87 patients had died during the long-term follow-up period. 21 patients (55.3%) answered the questionnaire. Six (28.6%) declared that they suffered from pain in the previous operating field, five (23.8%) at rest, and three (14.3%) during exercise. In five patients (23.8%), pain lasted for more than 3 months. One patient (4.8%) still requires analgesic treatment. Among the 21 patients, seven (33.3%) were found to have incisional hernias. Three hernias (42.9%) were treated by surgery., Conclusion: Incisional hernia rates after OA treatment remain high, but are accompanied by little pain. The ideal technique of fascial closure after NPWT should be investigated in further research.

Background: In laparoscopy, 50% of all complications occur during establishment of the pneumoperitoneum. Elevation of the fascia is recommended for the Veress needle approach, although the benefit has not been proved to date. This study aimed to evaluate the intraabdominal changes during lifting of the fascia with regard to the distance from the fascia to the retroperitoneal vessels and the intestine for access in laparoscopy., Methods: For 10 patients scheduled to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the operation started with the computed tomography (CT) scan. After orotracheal intubation, a CT scan of the umbilical region was performed. After a supraumbilical incision, the fascia was freed and elevated with stay sutures. During maximal elevation, a second CT scan was performed. Distances to the intestinal (small bowel) and retroperitoneal structures (iliac artery, vena cava) were measured. Intraabdominal pressure was measured with a transcystic balloon manometer before (a) and after (b) elevation of the fascia, after insertion of the Veress needle (c), and after completion of the insufflations (d)., Results: Lifting of the fascia increased the distance between the fascia and the intestinal structures in the patients with no prior abdominal surgery (mean distance, 1.92 cm; range, 0.87-2.67 cm) and the distance between the fascia and the retroperitoneal vessels (mean distance, 7.83 cm; range, 3-11 cm). The median intraabdominal pressures in terms of cm H(2)O were 5.4 for a, 1.1 for b, 1.1 for c, and 12. 5 for d., Conclusion: Elevation of the fascia before the first entrance to the abdominal cavity for laparoscopy may increase safety due to a significant enlargement of distance between the fascia and the retroperitoneal structures.