Burst abdomen

Abstract

1. A series of 89 burst abdomens occurring in the Manchester Royal Infirmary during the years 1950-57 is reviewed. 2. The incidence of burst abdomen is found to be of the order of i per cent., and to depend more upon the operator than on the operation, the incision, or the method of closure. 3. The mechanism of wound disruption is discussed, and it is suggested that deficient wound healing is of less importance than defective suturing, and that wounds burst because the sutures in the deep layers of the wound cut out. 4. It is concluded that, for the prevention of burst abdomen, careful technique in suturing the abdominal wall is more important than the use of any particular method or suture material.