Abdominal Wound Dehiscence

Abstract

Forty-seven abdominal wound disruptions occurring in 4,242 procedures during a seven-year period are reviewed and various etiologic factors are compared statistically to a random sample of the population whose wounds healed without dehiscence. Dehiscence is more likely to occur in males and in patients over the age of 50 years or if potential wound contamination, infection, or anemia are present. Dehiscence is less likely to occur through transverse incisions than through vertical incisions. Other factors such as race, primary disease, type of operation, type of closure, obesity, operator, reoperation, jaundice, use of steroids, increased intra-abdominal pressure, and hypoproteinemia were not statistically significant factors in the cause of dehiscence.