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The Biology of Complex Abdominal Wall Defects: Definitions and Causes

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Surgery of Complex Abdominal Wall Defects

Abstract

Acquired complex abdominal wall defects (CAWDs) are those usually developing after severe injuries and their surgical management; these do not heal in a timely manner or fail to heal completely. Full-thickness open abdominal (OA) wounds primarily are encountered in patients after acute trauma, infectious processes, or abdominal catastrophes. Modern surgical experience suggests that biologic and mechanical pathways overlap during normal acute healing of an abdominal wall wound, although a full understanding of the pathophysiology of the healing responses after the surgical procedure remains elusive. Some local and general factors contributing to poor wound healing and recurrent incisional hernias are well known, with local infection chief among them. CAWDs resulting from damage control surgery and an OA are a real challenge, frequently compounded by an enterocutaneous fistula. The biology of the healing process in this OA approach must be well understood and respected by the surgeon to achieve a successful final outcome.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Surgery and Emergency Surgery, University General Hospital Gregorio Maranon, Dr. Esquerdo 46, Madrid, 28007, Spain

    Fernando Turégano MD, PhD

  2. Department of General Surgery and Digestive Surgery, University Hospital San Juan de Alicante, Ctra. Alicante-Valencia s/n, Alicante, 03550, Spain

    Andrés García-Marín MD

Authors
  1. Fernando Turégano MD, PhD
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  2. Andrés García-Marín MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fernando Turégano MD, PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Arizona, Tucson, 85719, Arizona, USA

    Rifat Latifi

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Turégano, F., García-Marín, A. (2013). The Biology of Complex Abdominal Wall Defects: Definitions and Causes. In: Latifi, R. (eds) Surgery of Complex Abdominal Wall Defects. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6354-2_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6354-2_4

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6354-2

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