2 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
Damage control laparotomy (DCL) has proven to be a successful means to improve survival in severely injured patients.1-5 However, the consequences of not being able to close the fascia after the initial operation due to significant resuscitation leading to bowel and retroperitoneal edema, abdominal compartment syndrome, and continued acidosis, coagulopathy and hypethermia6-7 has led to a new challenge. Delays in primary fascial closure (PFC) contributes to increased fluid losses and nutritional demands,8-9 abdominal wall hernias, enterocutaneous fistula, and intra-abdominal infections.10-13 Hypertonic saline (HTS) use after DCL has been suggested to reduce bowel edema and resuscitation volumes, thus allowing for a quicker time to closure.14 Investigators will randomize patients to receiving HTS or standard crystalloid solutions after DCL and compare the time to PFC, rate of successful closure, and rate of complications associated with an open abdomen. The current failure rate of PFC after DCL is approximately 25%. Investigators believe they can improve PFC rates using hypertonic saline.
Damage control laparotomy (DCL) is a life saving maneuver used with success in trauma and acute general surgery patients. The technique involves source control of sepsis and hemorrhage with an abbreviated laparotomy. In other words, the surgical procedure is cut short to allow for resuscitation in the ICU after the immediately life threatening pathology is treated. Planned re-exploration is then performed within 24-48 hours. It is at this procedure that the injuries are reconstructed. This technique, unfortunately, has several complications implicit with its use including wound infection, enterocutaneous fistula formation, and intra-abdominal abscess development.\[1\] Additionally, in patients whom primary fascial closure is not achieved, extensive abdominal wall reconstruction will be required in 6-12 months. The key for preventing these complications is definitive closure of the abdominal fascia, however, 10-50% of patients will have a planned ventral hernia with an open abdominal wound at dismissal \[1,2\] Proven methods for decreasing the rate of planned ventral hernia utilize tension in the midline to counter the effects of lateral abdominal muscular retraction.\[3,4,5\] Despite these improvements, however, the planned ventral hernia rate continues to be substantial.\[2\] Botulinum toxin a (BTX) is an FDA approved neuron modulating agent which has been used extensively in cosmetic, motor and pain disorders over the past 20 years \[6,7\]. The toxin blocks acetylcholine and pain modulator release (calcitonin gene related peptide and substance P) from the pre-synaptic cholinergic nerve terminal. The peptides are unable to bind at their motor end plate receptors through a process that cleaves proteins involved in the transport protein cascade. This results in flaccid paralysis and neuromodulation of the abdominal wall muscles resulting in reduced lateral tension and pain. Theoretically, this could increase the rates of primary fascial closure, improve pain sensation, decrease the rate of complications associated with open abdomens all while lowering the costs and need for future abdominal wall reconstruction.