[Open vs. closed abdomen in acute peritonitis. A comparative study].

INTRODUCTION

Open abdomen is a management alternative that, however, is not exempt from complications. We evaluated, in a comparative manner, the handling with open abdomen (OA) against closed abdomen (CA) in treatment of patients with severe peritonitis for traumatic lesion.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

We carried out an observational, retrospective, longitudinal, and comparative study. It included patients managed with diagnosis severe peritonitis due to abdominal trauma between 1998 and 2000. They were divided into two groups, according to management with OA or CA. We compared age, sex, trauma type, severity of lesion, morbility and mortality.

RESULTS

12 patients were managed with OA, which presented longer hospitalization and 24 with CA who in turn presented a greater lesion severity. There were statistical differences in other parameters, including complications and mortality. However, patients managed with OA frequently presented more complications.

DISCUSSION: OA does not improve morbility and mortality of patients, although they presented less severe lesions that those managed with CA.