Eviscerated liver: An extremely rare complication of abdominal wound dehiscense through a midline incision

Abstract

Abdominal wound dehiscense, or burst abdomen, is a critical postoperative complication necessitating immediate intervention. We present an extremely rare case of left hepatic lobe evisceration through wound dehiscense in a 65-year-old female receiving palliative care for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The patient’s midline incision that was performed for feeding jejunostomy tube displayed liver protrusion on Day 14 postoperatively. Surgical exploration revealed a healthy liver, prompting reduction and secondary sutures to prevent complications. Abdominal wound dehiscense risk factors, including advanced age, poor nutrition, and medical illness, contribute to its occurrence. Although guidelines for liver evisceration management are lacking, our case emphasizes proper technique, wound care, and nutritional support to aid the healing process and to ensure a better outcome for the patients.