Large gaps of midline abdominal incisions and their management

Am Surg. 2008 Nov;74(11):1094-9.

Abstract

The operative management of midline full-thickness abdominal wall gaps is difficult, often requires several surgical procedures and is associated with significant short- and long-term complications. A rectus abdominis-posterior sheath (RAPS) flap with skin grafting provides a tension-free one-step repair which was used in three patients successfully with midline abdominal wall (including the skin) gaps who had multiple previous operations related to intra-abdominal malignancy. No complications occurred in these patients in relation to this procedure.

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Abdominal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Abdominal Wall / blood supply
  • Abdominal Wall / pathology*
  • Abdominal Wall / surgery*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Humans
  • Rectus Abdominis / blood supply
  • Rectus Abdominis / pathology*
  • Rectus Abdominis / surgery*
  • Skin Transplantation / methods*
  • Surgical Flaps*
  • Suture Techniques
  • Treatment Outcome