Abstract

Background: Wound dehiscence is defined as separation of all layers of incision. It may
be partial or complete. Partial when one or more layers have separated but either the
skin or the peritoneum is intact. Complete when all layers of the abdominal wall have
opened apart and this may or may not be associated with evisceration of viscus. The
study aimed to find out and record the etiological factors for Burst abdomen.
Materials and Methods: This study was prospective, randomized and comparative
study conducted on 120 patients undergoing midline laparotomy in the Department of
General Surgery, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences over a period of 1 year. Patients
were selected who require midline laparotomy either as emergency or elective
procedure. 120 patients who were divided into two groups 60 each by sealed envelope
method and they were randomized into Group 1 and Group 2. The patients in Group 1
underwent closure of rectus sheath with conventional continuous closure technique and
in Group 2 underwent closure with interrupted X suture technique. A total of 60
patients were included in each group.
Results: In this study, there were 44% males and 15% females in Group -1 while there
were 49% males and 12% females in Group 2. In group 1, mean age was 48.03 years
and SD ± 16.15. In group 2, mean age was 46.44 years and SD ± 15.68 In Group 1, out of
60 patients wound dehiscence occurred in 22 cases while in Group 2, out of 60 patients
wound dehiscence occurred in 9 cases. In Group 1, 17 patients were anemic, 5 patients
were diabetics, 18 patients had uremia, 44 patients had hypoalbuminemia and 49
patients had chest infection. In Group 2, 11 patients were anemic, 7 patients were
diabetics, 17 patients had uremia, 41 patients had hypo‌albuminemia and 34 patients
had chest infection.