A STUDY ON LAYERED CLOSURE VERSUS MASS CLOSURE OF LAPAROTOMY INCISIONS

Background: The ideal method of abdominal wound closure remains to be discovered. It should be technically so simple that the results are as good in the hands of a trainee as in those of the master surgeon.The best abdominal closure technique should be fast, easy while preventing both early and late complications. Present study is undertaken to compare the two methods (LAYERED closure and MASS closure) of laparotomy wound closure in relation to postoperative complications,time for wound closure in both groups and also to decide the most effective method among the two. Methods: This study was conducted in department of surgery at a tertiary care teaching hospital at KANCHIPURAM (TAMILNADU) from DECEMBER 2019 to DECEMBER 2020. On admission,patients suspected of having intraabdominal pathology,a thorough clinical examination and general assessment was done.Necessary radiological and biochemical investigations were done to support the diagnosis. After confirmation of diagnosis patients were subjected for exploratory laparotomy.The laparotomy wound was closed with either by Mass closure or Layered closure technique. Patients were followed up for 6 months in post-operative period for detection of late complications. Results:Total 60 patients of were studied.Majority of patients were in 66 -75 age group.Male outnumbered the females. Incidence of early complications like seroma, wound infection is more in layered closure group as compared to mass closure.Mean wound closure time is more in layered closure group. Conclusions: Mass closure technique is less time consuming,safe for closure of midline laparotomy incisions.