[Experience with the Bogota bag technique for temporary abdominal closure].

Introduction: The Bogota bag technique is a reliable method for open abdominal closure. The aim of this study was to describe our experience with this technique.

Material And Method: We retrospectively evaluated our experience with the Bogota Bag technique between January 2000 and March 2006. Descriptive statistical techniques were applied and percentages and means were calculated.

Results: The Bogota bag technique was applied in 12 patients. The technique was the preferred closure system to prevent abdominal compartment syndrome in 11 patients (91.66%) and was required to treat abdominal compartment syndrome in one patient (8.34%). No complications occurred in relation to placement or withdrawal of the Bogota bag. There were no intestinal fistulas or intra-abdominal abscesses. The mean length of hospital stay was 46.33 days and the mean length of stay in the intensive care unit was 16.58 days. The survival rate was 41.66%.

Conclusions: In our experience, the Bogota bag is a useful technique and is the preferred closure system to prevent or treat abdominal compartment syndrome. The high mortality rates described are due to the underlying diseases leading to open abdominal closure and not directly to the Bogota bag technique itself.