2008-12-29
A J-shaped subcostal incision reduces the incidence of abdominal wall complications in liver transplantation
Publication
Publication
Liver Transplantation , Volume 14 - Issue 11 p. 1655- 1658
A novel J-shaped incision for liver transplantation was introduced in attempt to reduce the wound-related complication rate while maintaining comparable access. Some 58 consecutive patients with the classic Mercedes incision were compared with the following 60 consecutive patients with a J-shaped incision. Nine of 60 patients (15%) with a J-shaped incision were converted to an extensive incision. The duration of surgery did not differ between both groups, and relaparotomy rates were comparable in both groups (45% versus 31%, P = 0.487) whereas the early wound-related morbidity was significantly reduced in the J-shaped incision group (3% versus 19%, P = 0.009), as well as incisional hernia rate (7% versus 24%, P = 0.002, corrected for different length of follow-up). Other factors such as previous surgery, ascites, abdominal drainage, retransplantation, and indications for transplantation did not differ between both groups and were not predictive of wound-related morbidity or incisional hernia. We therefore conclude that a J-shaped incision should be the incision of choice in liver transplantation. This new, seemingly minor modification reduces wound infections, fascial dehiscence, and incisional hernia.
Additional Metadata | |
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doi.org/10.1002/lt.21594, hdl.handle.net/1765/30449 | |
Liver Transplantation | |
Organisation | Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam |
Heisterkamp, J., Marsman, H. A., Eker, H., Metselaar, H., Tilanus, H., & Kazemier, G. (2008). A J-shaped subcostal incision reduces the incidence of abdominal wall complications in liver transplantation. Liver Transplantation, 14(11), 1655–1658. doi:10.1002/lt.21594 |