Laparotomy Closure Techniques

A polydioxanone (PDS) suture is a slowly absorbable monofilament suture material used when extended tensile support is desired during healing.

Ethicon PDS is a brand name commonly used to refer to polydioxanone (PDS) sutures, which are slowly absorbable monofilament sutures.

AHS guidelines are evidence-based or consensus recommendations associated with the American Hernia Society for hernia prevention, repair, and abdominal wall surgery.

EHS guidelines are clinical recommendations published by the European Hernia Society that summarize evidence for hernia prevention and abdominal wall management.

The American Hernia Society (AHS) is a professional organization dedicated to improving hernia care through education, research, and clinical collaboration.

The European Hernia Society (EHS) is a professional organization focused on hernia research, education, and clinical practice standards in Europe.

Fascial dehiscence is the separation of the abdominal fascial closure after surgery, leading to loss of wound strength and risk of evisceration or hernia.

Jenkins rule is a surgical closure principle recommending enough suture length—commonly a 4:1 suture-to-wound length ratio—to reduce tension and failure risk.

Wound rupture is a severe postoperative failure of wound integrity, where the closure separates and the incision reopens partially or completely.

Suture technique is the method of closing tissue using suture material, including choices such as continuous vs interrupted closure and how stitches are spaced.

A wound closure device is a surgical instrument designed to help approximate and secure tissue during closure, aiming for consistent, efficient, and reproducible suturing.

Hernia prevention refers to strategies that reduce the risk of postoperative hernia formation, especially incisional hernia after abdominal surgery.

Abdominal aponeurosis refers to the aponeurotic connective tissue layers of the abdominal wall that form and support the midline fascia.

A midline abdominal incision is a midline surgical opening of the abdomen, typically through the linea alba, to provide access for laparotomy.

An aponeurosis is a strong, flat sheet of connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone or to other tissues, contributing to abdominal wall strength.

A midline incision is a surgical cut along the abdominal midline (linea alba) used to access the abdominal cavity in open surgery.

Laparotomy is an open surgical procedure in which the abdomen is accessed through an incision to diagnose or treat intra‑abdominal conditions.

Tissue approximation is the alignment of wound edges to promote proper healing.

Suture material is the thread or filament used to close surgical wounds.

A monofilament suture is made from a single smooth strand of material.

Burst abdomen is a severe complication involving complete fascial disruption after abdominal surgery.

SL:WL 1:4 refers to using four times as much suture material as the length of the wound during closure.

A surgical suturing device is a tool designed to assist surgeons in placing sutures accurately and consistently.

An incisional hernia occurs when abdominal contents protrude through a weakness in a previous surgical incision.

Wound dehiscence is the partial or complete separation of a surgical wound after closure.

Continuous suturing is a technique where a single suture strand is used to close a wound without interruption.

A surgical site infection is an infection occurring at or near a surgical incision after an operation.

The suture length to wound length ratio describes how much suture material is used relative to the length of the incision.

Interrupted sutures consist of individual stitches tied separately along the wound.

The large-bites technique uses wider tissue bites placed farther from the wound edge during fascial closure.

Abdominal wall closure refers to the surgical process of closing the layers of the abdominal wall after an incision, typically following laparotomy.

Fascial closure is the suturing of the abdominal fascia, the load-bearing layer of the abdominal wall, following surgical incision.

A midline laparotomy is a surgical incision made along the linea alba to access the abdominal cavity.

Fascia is a connective tissue layer that surrounds and supports muscles and organs, providing structural strength to the abdominal wall.

The small-bites technique is a suturing method using small tissue bites placed close to the wound edge during fascial closure.

The linea alba is a fibrous structure running along the midline of the abdomen where the abdominal muscles meet.