2026; 9(2): 28-36

DOI: 10.32114/CCI.2026.9.2.28.36
Published online: 2026-06-30 (first online 2026-05-16)

External abdominal support after laparotomy: amechanistic and clinical perspective on fascial stress and wound dehiscence.

Małgorzata Pajer [1] , Kryspin Mitura [1,2] .

[1] Department of General Surgery, Siedlce Hospital, Poland, Siedlce
[2] Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University in Siedlce, Poland, Siedlce

    Abstract:

Abstract [EN]   - Abdominal binders are widely used after abdominal surgery, despite inconsistent evidence regarding their clinical effectiveness. Their role in preventing wound complications, particularly fascial dehiscence, remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the potential role of external abdominal support as a mechanical load-sharing strategy after laparotomy, with emphasis on critically ill patients. Available evidence indicates that abdominal supports may improve postoperative comfort and facilitate early mobilization, although their impact on wound-related complications remains inconclusive. Mechanistic studies consistently demonstrate substantial differences between device types: elastic binders exhibit high extensibility with limited control of abdominal wall dynamics, whereas semi-rigid supports provide greater circumferential stability and reduced deformation under physiologically relevant loading conditions. These differences may influence the ability of external support to modulate mechanical stress acting on the healing fascia.

Streszczenie [PL]   - Bandaże brzuszne są powszechnie stosowane po zabiegach chirurgicznych w obrębie jamy brzusznej, pomimo niespójnych dowodów dotyczących ich skuteczności klinicznej. Ich rola w zapobieganiu powikłaniom rany, zwłaszcza rozejściu powięzi, pozostaje niejasna. Celem niniejszego badania jest ocena potencjalnej roli zewnętrznego podparcia brzucha jako strategii mechanicznego podziału obciążenia po laparotomii, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem pacjentów w stanie krytycznym. Dostępne dowody wskazują, że podparcia brzucha mogą poprawić komfort pooperacyjny i ułatwić wczesną mobilizację, chociaż ich wpływ na powikłania związane z raną pozostaje niejednoznaczny. Badania mechanistyczne konsekwentnie wykazują istotne różnice między typami urządzeń: bandaże elastyczne wykazują wysoką rozciągliwość przy ograniczonej kontroli dynamiki ściany brzucha, podczas gdy podparcia półsztywne zapewniają większą stabilność obwodową i mniejsze odkształcenia w fizjologicznie istotnych warunkach obciążenia. Różnice te mogą wpływać na zdolność zewnętrznego podparcia do modulacji naprężeń mechanicznych działających na gojącą się powięź.

    Citation:

VANCOUVER FORMAT

Pajer M, Mitura K. External abdominal support after laparotomy: amechanistic and clinical perspective on fascial stress and wound dehiscence. Crit Care Innov. 2026; 9(2): 28-36.
DOI: 10.32114/CCI.2026.9.2.28.36

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