Management of abdominal wall defects – case series

Treating complex abdominal wall defects is challenging for the reconstructive surgeon as there are many possible complications and high reccurence rates. To date, there is no consensus on a definition of complex abdominal wall defects, as the level of complexity can be different from case to case. Thorough knowledge of the etiology of defects and relevant anatomy, adequate management during hospitalization and in postoperative period are key elements in obtaining optimal functional results. Although the etiology of abdominal wall defects is varied, reconstructive goals are well established, including recovery of structural integrity to ensure visceral coverage and maintenance of intraabdominal pressure, prevention of hernia formation, if possible with an aesthetic pleasant result; long hospitalizations increasing morbidity and costs should be avoided. Choosing the right therapeutic strategy may be very demanding, because there is no standard treating protocol to guide the management of these patients.. We present, through five clinical cases, our experience with managing abdominal wall defects having in mind the general reconstructive priciples and trying to individualize the treatment for each of them.