Risk factors of abdominal wound dehiscence in abdominal surgery

Abstract

To evaluate the role of various perioperative risk factors on the incidence of abdominal wound dehiscence. A retrospective controlled randomized trial of the risk factors of abdominal wound dehiscence was conducted in 62 patients for the period 2013- 2018. The research was performed at the Perm City Clinical Hospital No. 4. All patients were divided into two groups: the main one (n=31) with abdominal wound dehiscence in early postoperative period and the control group (n=31) without this event. Both groups were comparable by gender, age and surgical abdominal diseases. Between-group differences in numerical indicators were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U-test, qualitative variables were analyzed using contingency tables. Differences were significant at p-value <0.05. Incidence of abdominal wound dehiscence was similar in patients who admitted in emergency and elective fashion (p=0.54). Anemia upon admission (p=0.71), diabetes mellitus type 2 (p=1.00), COPD (p=0.13) and obesity (p=0.76) were not significant predictors of abdominal wound dehiscence. There were significant between-group differences in CRP level (p=0.04). Among intraoperative risk factors, duration of surgery (p=0.78), surgical approach (p=1.00), aponeurosis suturing technique (p=0.39) and stoma (p=0.71) did not significantly affect the incidence of abdominal wound dehiscence. In early postoperative period, abdominal wound dehiscence correlated with peritonitis (p=0.04), SSI (p<0.01) and redo laparotomy (p=0.02). Despite the variety of pre-, intra- and postoperative risk factors, only infectious postoperative complications (SSI, peritonitis) and redo surgical interventions influenced the development of abdominal wound dehiscence. Thus, the concept of abdominal wound dehiscence prevention should be inextricably associated with the concept of prevention of postoperative infectious complications from the abdominal wall and abdominal cavity.