Use of intraabdominal VAC (Vacuum Assisted Closure) lowers mortality and morbidity in patients with open abdomen.

Objective: Authors compare two groups of patients with open abdomen. The objective is to compare and evaluate two treatment modalities, namely Kern laparostomy and vacuum-assisted closure in terms of mortality, closure of abdominal wound, and fistula management, all these stratified by BMI and CRP.

Background: Open abdomen can be considered a "patient salvage technique", used in patients with abdominal sepsis, as well as in patients with abdominal compartment syndrome, and in damage control surgery.