Medicina Universitaria (Oct 2024)

Effect of primary closure of subcutaneous cellular tissue on the incidence of seromas in laparotomy wounds

  • Luis R. Gómez-Álvarez,
  • Melissa F. Ochoa-Cortez,
  • Alejandro Quiroga-Garza,
  • Jorge Gutiérrez-de la O,
  • Francisco J. Arrambide-Garza,
  • Rodrigo E. Elizondo-Omaña,
  • Luis A. Alvarez-Lozada,
  • Gerardo E. Muñoz-Maldonado

DOI
https://doi.org/10.24875/RMU.24000023
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 26, no. 4

Abstract

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Background: To compare the effect of primary subcutaneous cellular tissue (SCT) closure on the incidence of seromas in midline laparotomy wounds. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed. Patients undergoing midline laparotomy during the study period were included. Patient characteristics and closure techniques were recorded. A 30-day post-operative follow- up was included. Results: 83 patients underwent midline laparotomy abdominal surgery during the study period. 38.1% (n 16/42) of patients with only skin closure developed post-operative seromas versus 12.2% (n 5/41) of patients with skin and SCT closure, with an odds ratio of 0.22 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07-0.69, p = 0.009). Surgical site infection was 11.9% and 22%, respectively. Conclusions: SCT closure helps decrease post-operative seroma. Despite methodological limitations, this study lays the groundwork for future research with more rigorous methodologies that allow for longitudinal analysis and the confirmation of cause and effect.

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