A comparative study between closure by layers vs mass closure in midline laparotomy incision

Abstract

Background:A laparotomy wound is closed in layers co-opting the various layers anatomically. The present study was conducted to compare mass closure versus layered closure of midline laparotomy incisions. Material & Methods:40 patients undergoing laparotomy were divided into 2 groups of 20 each. Group I patients underwent mass closure and group II underwent layered closure of laparotomy incision. Post- operative complication in both groups was recorded.Results: Group I had 12 males and 8 females and group II had 11 males and 9 females. Common intra- abdominal pathologies were upper GI malignancy in10, lower GI malignancy in 7, hydratid cyst of liver in 4, splenic abscess in 6, achalasia cardia in 3, GERD in 5, splenomegaly in 3 and Volvulus in 2. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Common post- operative complications was wound infection seen in 1 in group I, seroma 1 in group II, hematoma 2 in group I, incisional hernia 1 in group II and button hole hernia 1 each in group I and II. The difference was non- significant (P> 0.05). Conclusion:Mass closure of midline laparotomy incisions was more effective as compared to layered closure.