Zipper closure of the abdominal wall in the treatment of recurrent intra-abdominal abscesses.

Diffuse retroperitoneal soilage following rectal laceration with a blunt object resulted in significant morbidity despite prompt recognition, parenteral antibiotic administration, and early surgical intervention. A septic postoperative course was complicated by perforation of the third portion of the duodenum and a diffuse suppurative peritonitis with multiple intra-abdominal abscesses. Closure of the incision at reexploration was facilitated by sewing Marlex to the fascia while a centrally located nylon zipper allowed access to the peritoneal cavity for further explorations and eventual ablation of the septic process.