burst abdomen

Umbilical granuloma

• Chronic infection of the umbilicus that continues for weeks causes granulation tissue to pout at the umbilicus.
• Treated by application of silver nitrate
• Pilonidal sinus: a sinus containing a sheath of hair.
• Treatment: surgery

Burst abdomen and Incisional hernia

• Etiology
• Technique of wound closure: (poor closure technique).
• - Choice of suture material
• - Method of closure
• - Drainage
• Factors relating to incisions (vertical or transverse incisions).
• Reasons for initial operation (pancreatic and obstruction operations, or peritonitis). Deep wound infection.


• 4. Coughing, vomiting and distension: any violent coughing by removal of endotracheal tube, or suction of laryngopharynx, and in postoperative ileus.
• 5. Metabolic state of the patient: obesity, jaundice, malignant diseases, hypoprotinemia and anemia. are factors conductive to disruption of wounds.

Burst abdomen

• Clinical features: A serosanguinous discharge from the wound is the first sign of disruption in 50% of cases. It is pathognomonic sign of impending wound disruption and signifies that intraperitoneal contents are lying extraperitoneally. It occur between the sixth and eighth day after operation.
• If the skin sutures have been removed, omentum and coils of intestine may be forced through the wound.
• Pain and shock are absent. May be there are symptoms and signs of intestinal obstruction.

Treatment

• An emergency operation is required to replace the bowel, relieve any obstruction and resuture the wound.
• While awaiting the operation:
• Reassure the patient and cover the wound with a sterile towel.
• NG tube, IVF, antibiotics and sedation.
• The edges approximated by through and through monofilament nylon and by tension sutures.
• Contrary to what is expected peritonitis rarely supervenes and healing is satisfactory.

Incisional hernia

Clinical features
Starts as symptomless partial disruption of the deeper layers of laparotomy wound during the early postoperative period. It is passed unnoticed if the skin wound remains intact after the skin sutures have been removed.
Bulging of part or all the scar
Increases steadily in size
The skin overlying it becomes thin and atrophied
Attacks of intestinal obstruction and strangulation
Most cases are asymptomatic and broad necked

Occur within the first two years after primary operation.

A diffuse bulge directly under or adjacent to a previous incision.
Increased protrusion with valsalva or standing.
Cosmetic concerns or interference with work or activity are common complaints.
Pain is unusual as a presenting symptom.





• Kocher or Right Subcostal Incision: oblique abdominal incision paralleling the thoracic cage on the right of the abdomen for cholecystectomy.
• Pfannenstial Incision: A transverse incision through the external sheath of the rectus muscles, about an inch above the pubes.
• Lanz incision: muscle splitting transverse abdominal incision employed in appendectomy.
•

Treatment

Palliative: An abdominal belt. Weight reduction.
Simple apposition: The layers are repaired with non absorbable sutures, the muscles and remaining facial layers are approximated.

Plastic fiber mesh closure: These are now the method of choice for all but the small hernias < 4cm. If the defect is more than 4 cm mesh is indicated.
Laparoscopic surgery can be used to close incisional hernia.
Careful hemostasis and meticulous asepsis are essential during these operations. Postoperative collection of serum can be removed by drainage.


Complications of Incisional Hernia Repair
Enterotomy
Superficial wound Infection
Mesh Infection
Seroma
Prolonged Pain
Ileus
Bleeding/Hematoma
Recurrence

Respiratory Distress

Abdominal Compartment syndrome or IVC compression

Postoperative care

Gastric decompression
IV fluid
Nothing by mouth
Early ambulation
Gentle physical exercise


Tearing of the inferior epigastric artery
Occurs in three types of patients
Elderly women, thin and feeble
Athletic muscular men
Pregnant woman late in pregnancy
The site of the hematoma at the level of the arcuate line

Clinical features: Following a bout of coughing, or a sudden blow to the abdominal wall, a tender lump appears in relation to the rectus abdominis.
The diagnosis may be difficult if there is no ecchymosis of the skin

Differential diagnosis

• Twisted ovarian cyst
• Appendicular mass
• Strangulated spigelian hernia
• Treatment: a small hematoma may resolve,
• It is safer to operate and evacuate the clot and ligate the artery.

Neoplasm of the abdominal wall

Desmoid tumor: it is a hard tumor arising in the musculoaponeorotic structures of the abdominal wall, specially below the level of the umbilicus. it is an unencapsulated fibroma .
Etiology: 80% in women, occur in scars of old operation wounds. Trauma, stretching of muscle fibers during pregnancy, or hematoma of the abdominal wall are aetiological factors. It can occur in cases of familial adenomatous polyposis.


• Pathology: no metastasis or sarcomatous changes.
Treatment: The tumor should be excised widely with a margin of 2.5 cm of healthy tissue

Fibrosarcoma

adenocarcinoma