BACKGROUND: Planned re-laparotomies are a series of surgical interventions that are rarely used and have a high mortality rate. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting mortality and the effectiveness of the use of the Bogota bag for temporary closure of the abdomen in patients for whom re-laparotomy was planned.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective examination was made of data of patients in whom a Bogota bag was used in planned re-laparotomies for various reasons in the General Surgery Department of Suleyman Demirel University Medical Faculty between June 2008 and April 2014.

RESULTS: Bogota bags were used in a total of 38 patients, comprising 23 (60.5%) males and 15 (39.5%) females, with a mean age of 58.94±17.89 years. The mean period of hospitalization was 14.5 days (range, 1–143 days) and the mean number of operations during that time was 3 (range, 1–11). The mean duration of intensive care unit stay was 6 days (range, 1–143 days). Malignancy was determined in 8 patients (21.1%). Indications were intra-abdominal sepsis in 23 patients (60.5%), mesenteric vascular disease in 10 patients (26.3%), and packing was required in 5 patients (13.2%). Mortality developed in 25 patients (65.8%). A significant relationship was determined between mortality and a diagnosis of mesenteric artery ischemia (p: 0.035). The mortality rate was 56% (n: 13) in patients diagnosed with intra-abdominal sepsis. A relationship was determined between mortality and age (p: 0.015), duration of hospital stay (p: 0.007), need for cardiac inotrope (p: 0.01), and need for mechanical ventilation (p: 0.01). The mean Apache II score was 26.4±5 for patients who died and 15.8±5.2 for surviving patients (p<0.001). In 5 (38.4%) of the 13 surviving patients, primary repair was applied to the abdomen, and in the remaining 8 patients abdominal wall repair was performed using dual mesh.

CONCLUSIONS: In patients in whom a Bogota bag was used, which is a cheap and easy method for temporary closure of the abdomen, the high mortality rates seen are related to diagnosis, Apache II score, age, and organ failure.

Keywords: Abdominal Cavity, Abdomen - surgery, Aged, 80 and over, Intensive Care Units, Laparotomy - methods, Length of Stay, Wound Healing