Closing Contaminated Fascial Defects With Synthetic Mesh and a Vacuum-Assisted Closure Device.

Background: The use of synthetic mesh is considered too high risk, and therefore, not an option when closing a contaminated abdominal fascial defect. This study evaluated the clinical outcomes when using synthetic mesh combined with vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) dressing to close these facial defects.

Materials And Methods: From 2010 to 2016, a retrospective review was performed, including 34 patients in a single rural trauma center who underwent a damage control laparotomy in the presence of a contaminated or infected field.