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Stephen J. Bradley, MD; Gregory J. Jurkovich, MD; Nathan W. Pearlman, MD; Gregory V. Stiegmann, MD

Arch Surg. 1985;120(5):629-631.

Abstract
• Controlled open drainage of the abdomen (gauze in plastic intestinal bag/surgical glove packing of abscesses; wound closure only to the degree needed to prevent evisceration) was compared with closed drainage (soft rubber or sump drains; complete fascial closure) in 31 patients with severe intraabdominal sepsis. Three (23%) of 13 patients died after open drainage vs eight (44%) of 18 after closed drainage. The difference was attributable to a lower incidence of recurrent abscesses in the former group (one recurrence) than in the latter (six recurrences). Thus, controlled open drainage may improve survival in this highly lethal condition.

(Arch Surg 1985;120:629-631)

Author Affiliations
From the Departments of Surgery, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, and the Denver Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Feb 6, 1985.

Read before the 92nd annual meeting of the Western Surgical Association, Colorado Springs, Colo, Nov 14, 1984.

Reprint requests to Department of Surgery, Denver Veterans Administration Medical Center, 1055 Clermont St, Denver, CO 80220 (Dr Pearlman).

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