The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether the type of suturing technique used to close the abdomen after exploratory laparotomy affects the rate of wound complications. Specifically, the study aims to find out if using interrupted sutures results in fewer cases of wound dehiscence (wound reopening) compared to continuous sutures.

The main question the study seeks to answer is:

Does interrupted suturing reduce the frequency of wound dehiscence compared to continuous suturing in patients undergoing exploratory laparotomy?

Researchers will also observe and compare wound infection rates between the two suturing methods.

About 80 adult patients (18-60 years old) undergoing exploratory laparotomy at the Department of General Surgery, DHQ Teaching Hospital, Dera Ghazi Khan, will take part in this study. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:

Group A: Continuous abdominal closure using No. 1 Vicryl suture

Group B: Interrupted abdominal closure using No. 1 Vicryl suture

All participants will have their baseline characteristics recorded, including age, gender, obesity, diabetes, and smoking status. The surgical technique and postoperative care will follow the hospital's standard protocols. After surgery, patients will be followed for four weeks with weekly clinical assessments to check for wound infection or wound dehiscence.

The hypothesis is that patients whose abdominal wounds are closed with interrupted sutures will have a lower frequency of wound dehiscence compared to those with continuous sutures.

The findings will help guide surgeons on which abdominal closure method provides better wound healing and fewer postoperative complications.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Undergoing exploratory laparotomy
• Both emergency and elective

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients undergoing second laparotomy or re- laparotomy
• Patients on steroid therapy (assessed on medical record review)
• Patients who die within 28-days of surgery