Omental patch reinforced with polypropylene mesh and split-thickness skin grafting: A new procedure to close the “open abdomen” (2025)

Highlights

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  The definitive closure of an open abdomen with a giant full abdominal defect remains a problem.

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  The great omentum allows a rapid integration of the polypropylene mesh.

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  The structure achieved does not hamper future surgical procedures.

Abstract

1. Introduction

The “open abdomen” (OA) expression widely used to define a full-thickness defect of the abdominal wall intentionally made in some situations like abdominal compartment syndrome, some peritonitis and as a damage control surgery [1]^, [2]^, [3], has been replaced by a newest one called “laparostomy”. This is an accepted maneuver performed more often every day. Nevertheless, the OA can cause acute complications and create a new major problem like the closure of a full thickness large abdominal wall defect.

The interest of the case presented remains on one hand in the histological data reported of the new structure created for the replacement of the full thickness of the abdominal wall – constructed with great omentum reinforced with polypropylene mesh and split skin grafts –, and on the other hand the clinical behavior during three years and a half of follow-up.

2. Case report

The patient is a 67-year old male with a medical history of morbid obesity (BMI 40), former smoker of cigarettes 3rd day, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and sleep apnea. On the second day of the postoperative time of a radical cystoprostatectomy, he presented a complete evisceration after intense coughing. A primary closure was performed and 24h later he suffered an abdominal compartment syndrome (40mmHg, intragastric measure) refractory to medical treatment, so a descompressive laparostomy was mandatory. Once hemodynamically stable, four days later a full abdominal wall defect of 32×22cm was confirmed. This defect was closed using a greater omentum flap sutured hermetically with interrupted stitches at the edges of the muscle wall, reinforced with large mesh of polypropylene (PP) placed on-lay and sutured to the fascia by two concentric running sutures of polypropylene. A vacuum-assisted closure device was placed on the second postoperative day and it was kept during three weeks. By then the PP mesh was completely integrated (Fig. 1a), so skin grafts were applied to the surface of the granulation tissue (Fig. 1b).

A small incisional hernia was diagnosed in the lower part of the small wound at one and a half year of follow-up. The patient increased 20kg, and the incisional hernia acquired a large dimension three years after the reconstruction of the abdominal wall, so we decided to repair the defect. The surgical approach was performed through the incisional hernia. The access to the abdominal cavity did not present particular difficulties. The structure formed by the omentum reinforced with PP mesh and split skin grafts was strong and hard but flexible so it could be easily handled and it did not adhere any intestinal loop (Fig. 1c). After resecting redundant sac the abdominal wall was closed with interrupted non-absorbable stiches. A full thickness biopsy was performed in order to know something more about the “new abdominal wall”. The histopathological examination revealed “Fragment of 1.2cm thick. At the level of superficial and deep dermis is noted marked fibrosis. In the deepest zone can recognize foreign material with giant cell inflammatory reaction”. The patient had a postoperative wound infection (culture+for Pseudomonas Aeruginosa,), which healed without difficulty. Eight months after surgery the patient is satisfied with the result achieved (Fig. 1d).

3. Discussion

The definitive closure of an open abdomen with a giant full abdominal thickness defect remains a problem that can be even more complex if there is interference from a stoma. In this situation, not only primary fascial closure becomes impossible but also a component separation of the abdominal wall layers that could provide a fascial apposition.

On the other hand, a functional closure would not be recommended if the skin cannot be closed over a biological mesh. Likewise, a planned ventral hernia using split-thickness skin graft is not a definitive procedure, the risk of enteroatmospheric fistula increases significantly and it takes a long time for the final solution [2]^, [4].

Good results have been reported using a tailored two-component mesh (polyglycolic acid and polypropylene meshes) as a safe alternative to the planned giant ventral hernias but it does not provide details about potential difficulties in case of further laparotomies or how to resolve a large skin defect [5].

The decrease of the number of fistulas has been observed for more than 20year when the omentum is placed between the abdominal cavity and the PP mesh [6] and it has also been reported the usefulness of the combination of greater omentum and PP mesh when there is contamination or infection [7].

The great omentum is anatomically a fat structure composed of mesothelial sheets which enclose predominantly adipocytes embedded in a loose connective tissue and aggregates of mononuclear phagocytic cells. Its immunological and angiogenic properties [8]^, [9]^, [10] allow a rapid integration of the polypropylene mesh, even in septic environments, facilitating the engraftment of split-thickness skin graft.

The reactive fibrosis caused by the PP mesh replaces the fat tissue but the inner surface is preserved, thereby avoiding subsequent adhesion and facilitates surgical access to the abdominal cavity if necessary in the future. The structure achieved is a strong structure, capable of visceral isolation that can be useful to close some OA.

Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor of this journal.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sector.

Authors’ contributions

F.P. drafted the manuscript. E.M. and E.G. participated in the design of the case. P.F. and S.P. participated in its design and coordination and E.V. helped to draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Ethical approval

A written and signed informed consent from the patient has been obtained and approved for our ethical committee.

Guarantor

All authors accept full responsibility for the work.

References