Evaluation of abdominal wound closure using continuous versus interrupted sutures in patients of perforation peritonitis

Abstract

Background: The type of wound closure plays a critical role in patients of perforation peritonitis, since many of these patients also have poorly controlled co-morbidities and risk factors for wound dehiscence. Though many studies have evaluated abdominal wound closures in the elective scenario, similar studies in the emergent scenario are rather scarce. Hence, we have dealt with this issue in patients presenting with hollow viscus perforation peritonitis.Methods: This was a prospective randomized case control single-centre study with 120 patients performed at St. Stephen’s Hospital, New Delhi, India between February 2016 and January 2019. These patients were randomized divided into two groups; group A comprising those patients in whom, the abdominal wound was closed with continuous sutures, and group B comprising those in whom it was closed with interrupted sutures. Informed consent was taken from all the patients. A detailed proforma included all parameters. Follow up was conducted at 2, 4, 6 and 12 weeks from the date of surgery. Data analysis was done using S.P.S.S. version 17.Results: The time taken for continuous suture fascial closure was significantly less than the interrupted technique. There were no significant differences in other parameters, immediately or on follow-up.Conclusions: The continuous method of abdominal closure was faster than interrupted suturing on account of the use of only two terminal knots, this difference being statistically significant. The outcomes were comparable to other studies that have dealt with this issue in elective surgeries.