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Fundamentals of Laparotomy Closure

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Fundamentals of General Surgery

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Abstract

Despite the increased adoption of minimally invasive techniques in all fields of surgery, the use of a laparotomy incision is still common. Knowledge of closure techniques is essential for all surgeons who perform laparotomies, because adherence to evidence-based principles can significantly decrease the incidence of incisional hernias.

This chapter reviews basic anatomy and closure techniques that all surgeons should know and highlights recent advances and controversies related to laparotomy closure. Specifically, this chapter explains the importance of the suture to wound length ratio, reviews the recent literature supporting the short stitch technique for laparotomy closure, and reviews guidelines on type of suture and techniques that should be employed. Although laparotomy closure can be a neglected portion of an abdominal operation, the importance of closure technique should be stressed to surgeons and trainees, because minor changes in technique can have a major impact on outcomes such as incisional hernia formation.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. New Hanover Regional Medical Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wilmington, NC, USA

    William W. Hope

  2. Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Michael J. Rosen

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  1. William W. Hope
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Correspondence to William W. Hope .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Francesco Palazzo

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Hope, W.W., Rosen, M.J. (2018). Fundamentals of Laparotomy Closure. In: Palazzo, F. (eds) Fundamentals of General Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75656-1_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75656-1_15

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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