Vacuum Assisted Therapy in Emergent Contaminated Abdominal Surgeries

Prospective Evaluation of Wound Management Using Vacuum Assisted Instillation Therapy in Emergent Contaminated Abdominal Surgeries

Emergent abdominal surgeries have very high rate of wound contamination due to exposure to bacteria from GI tract. There are several different approaches to wound management in these patients including wet-to-dry dressing or application vacuum assisted device on the wound. The investigators propose using the vacuum assisted device with Dakin's solution on patients undergoing emergency surgery for hollow viscus perforation installed immediately at the end of operation and remained there for the first 3 postoperative days, followed by delayed primary closure on postoperative day 4. The investigators believe this technique can achieve earlier wound closure, decrease patient discomfort, improve cost savings, and potentially standardize and revolutionize the investigators management of heavily contaminated wounds.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Emergent surgery involving hollow viscus perforation or necrotic bowel
• Admitted to the University of Arizona Medical Center, Tucson, AZ

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prisoners
• Pregnancy
• Patients with allergy to Dakin's (sodium hypochlorite) solution.