Laparostomy in the treatment of severe peritonitis: a review of 60 cases.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of laparostomy in the management of patients with severe abdominal infections. From June 1992 to December 2000 sixty patients with severe peritonitis were treated with laparostomy and studied retrospectively. Thirty-eight had post-operative peritonitis. Twelve patients had necrotic pancreatitis. Five patients had peritonitis due to ischemic colitis. Two patients had hemoperitoneum following multiple abdominal operations, and three patientshad severe wound dehiscence. The APACHE II score was used to determine the severity of patients' condition. The median age was 46 years, the mean APACHE II score was 19.7, and the observed mortality was 38.3%. The incidence of spontaneous fistulation of the exposed loop of intestine was 13.3%. In 11 patients abdominal wall closure was accomplished by primary intention. Incisional hernias were inevitable in the rest of patient and were repaired 1 years after surgery. Laparostomy is a good way to manage patients with severe peritonitis but it should be performed before irreversible septic shock and subsequent multi organ failure develop.