Postoperative abdominal evisceration in children: possible risk factors

Abstract

Postoperative abdominal evisceration may lead to high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of the present study was to determine possible risk factors, morbidity and mortality associated with abdominal evisceration in children. A total of 3,591 children underwent abdominal exploration in our clinic between 1983 and 2005. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed 29 patients who developed abdominal evisceration after abdominal exploration. The incidence for abdominal evisceration was found to be 0.8%. The mean age was 16 months (range 1 day-13 years), while 48.2% of the patients were younger than 1 month. The incidence of abdominal evisceration was significantly higher in patients younger than 1 month (2.5%) compared to older ones (0.4%) (P < 0.0001). The mean time interval between primary abdominal exploration and development of abdominal evisceration was 7 days (2-21 days). The risk for development of evisceration was significantly higher in patients who underwent colonic or small bowel surgery compared to those underwent laparotomy alone (P < 0.0001, P < 0.01, respectively). Absorbable suture was used in 15 patients for closure of abdominal fascia, while a silk suture material was used in 14 patients (P > 0.05). The age-weight percentile was lower than 3% in 41.3% of patients. At the follow-up period, 19 patients recovered completely whereas 10 (34.5%) died. As a result, the age (neonates), primary surgery (colo-rectal), type of incision (median), and emergency surgery were significant risk factors for development of abdominal evisceration in children.