Preperitoneal abdominal wound repair: incidence of dehiscence.

Preperitoneal abdominal wound repair in 100 consecutive patients who required midline laparotomy resulted in one case of wound dehiscence. The risk of dehiscence did not increase with the use of vertical midline abdominal incisions repaired without inclusion of the peritoneum. Avoidance of suture penetration of the peritoneum may result in a reduction in postoperative adhesions and intestinal obstruction without increasing the risk of wound dehiscence.