A modified retention suture technique with external and internal "booties" to close difficult abdominal wounds.

In a patient with acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis complicated by pancreatic abscess, closure of the abdominal wall 7 days following marsupialization was difficult owing to the marked distension and edema of the bowel wall, especially the transverse colon. A simple technique using retention sutures with internal and external rubber "booties" above and below the fascia was used to prevent injury to the edematous bowel. The rubber catheters, or "booties," were removed at the bedside, thus making it a simple procedure in a difficult situation.