Vacuum Assisted Closure Versus On-demand Relaparotomy in Patients With Fecal or Diffuse Peritonitis (VACOR)
Fecal Peritonitis, Secondary Peritonitis, Diffuse; Peritonitis
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Fecal Peritonitis
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Patients eligible for enrolment are 18+ years of age and are scheduled for acute laparotomy due to suspected peritonitis originating from perforation of the small bowel, colon, or rectum. To be included, purulent, enteric, or fecal contamination in a minimum of 2 out of 4 quadrants must be confirmed.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Diffuse peritonitis originating from a different focus than the small intestine, colon or rectum
- Diffuse peritonitis originating from a perforation on the stomach, duodenum, gallbladder, appendix, necrotizing pancreatitis, salpingitis, or peritoneal dialysis
- Primary peritonitis
- Immunocompromised (ongoing chemotherapy or prednisolone >20 mg/day)
- Chronic parenchymal liver disease
- Pregnancy
- Patients with end-stage disease
- Laparoscopic surgery (not converted to laparotomy)
- Acute occlusion of superior mesenteric artery
- Peritoneal carcinomatosis
- Abdominal trauma
- Lack of consent from the surgical equipoise
- Local peritonitis confined to 1 quadrant only
Sites / Locations
- Odense University HospitalRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
Vacuum assisted closure
Relaparotomy "on-demand"
The VAC® Abdominal Dressing System (KCI Vacuum Assisted Closure, San Antonio, TX, USA) will be used. Intestines, including lateral aspects, are covered by the visceral protective layer. The first layer of foam is placed in the laparostoma on the visceral protective layer and must extend below the fascia at a distance of 5 cm from the facial opening. Above this, a minimum of one piece of foam is folded and placed in the laparostoma. Finally, the laparostoma will be covered by the occlusive drape. A circular opening of approximately 5 cm in diameter will be created in the drape where the connection tubes to the vacuum pump will be placed. Simultaneously while applying the negative pressure of 125 mmHg, the wound edges are approximated manually towards the midline. Each dressing change must be performed in the operation theatre with the patient in general anesthesia and muscle relaxation.
The Isreaelsson principle includes a running suture of the fascia with a distance of 5 mm between the stitches of 5 mm and the distance to the facial edge of 5-10 mm. Monofilament PDS 2-0 or equivalent is used. The suturing is started cranially and caudally, and the sutures are tied with self-locking knots. Four times as much suture material as the length of the wound must be used. The peritoneal fluid must be cultured at closure. The treating surgeon decides to perform a ROD and should be guided by the patient's general condition, gastrointestinal function, renal function, and inflammatory parameters at daily rounds.