Abdominal Wound DehiscenceNCT07797868
Vacuum-Assisted Closure Versus Graduated Primary Skin Closure for Postoperative Burst Abdomen
A study testing Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) Therapy and Graduated Primary Skin Closure in people with Abdominal Wound Dehiscence and Burst Abdomen, run by Assiut University.
Trial summary
Burst abdomen, or complete abdominal wound dehiscence, is a severe postoperative complication characterized by the separation of the musculo-aponeurotic layer of the abdominal wall. It leads to extended hospital stays, high treatment costs, and an increased risk of long-term incisional hernia. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Abdominal Wound Dehiscence, Burst Abdomen, Surgical Wound Dehiscence
- What is being tested?
- Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) Therapy and Graduated Primary Skin Closure
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- Oct 2026to Nov 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adult patients aged 18 years or older of either sex
- Clinically confirmed complete (full-thickness) postoperative burst abdomen following a midline or paramedian laparotomy
- Medically fit to tolerate bedside wound management/re-intervention (hemodynamically stable, not requiring vasopressor support)
- Patient or legal guardian willing and able to provide written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Planned or pre-existing open abdomen (laparostomy) at the index operation
- Presence of enterocutaneous or enteroatmospheric fistula at the wound site
- Uncontrolled intra-abdominal sepsis or ongoing hemodynamic instability precluding safe wound management
- Known hypersensitivity or allergy to polyurethane foam or adhesive drape materials used in VAC systems
- Active malignancy with peritoneal carcinomatosis where wound closure is not a treatment priority
- Pregnancy
- Refusal to participate or to be randomized
About this study
Official title: Vacuum-Assisted Closure Versus Graduated Primary Skin Closure for the Management of Postoperative Burst Abdomen: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Burst abdomen, or complete abdominal wound dehiscence, is a severe postoperative complication characterized by the separation of the musculo-aponeurotic layer of the abdominal wall. It leads to extended hospital stays, high treatment costs, and an increased risk of long-term incisional hernia. While negative pressure wound therapy using vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) is widely utilized, graduated (staged) primary skin closure remains a common, accessible bedside alternative. Direct randomized comparative evidence evaluating these two approaches for established burst abdomen is limited.
The main objective of this study is to compare the clinical effectiveness and safety of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) versus graduated primary skin closure in the management of postoperative burst abdomen.
Read more
Participants will be randomly assigned (1:1) to one of two groups:
- VAC Group: Patients will receive continuous negative pressure wound therapy (-75 to -125 mmHg) applied via a specialized polyurethane foam and adhesive dressing, with changes performed every 48 to 72 hours until sufficient granulation tissue forms for definitive closure.
- Graduated Closure Group: Patients will undergo progressive re-approximation of the wound edges using full-thickness retention sutures placed under local anesthesia and tightened incrementally every 48 to 72 hours until complete closure is achieved.
The primary outcome of the study is the time to achieve complete fascial and cutaneous wound closure. Secondary outcomes include total length of hospital stay, incidence of surgical site infections, pain scores during procedures, wound recurrence, and incisional hernia formation during follow-up.
- Being tested
- Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) Therapy, Graduated Primary Skin Closure
- Keywords
- Negative Pressure Wound Therapy, Vacuum-Assisted Closure, NPWT, Graduated Primary Skin Closure, Staged Closure, Abdominal Wall Defect, Postoperative Complications, Incisional Hernia
- Medical subject headings
- Surgical Wound Dehiscence, Postoperative Complications, Incisional Hernia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) TherapyProcedure or surgery
Under aseptic technique, non-viable tissue is debrided and the wound irrigated with normal saline. An open-cell polyurethane foam is trimmed to fit the wound cavity (with a non-adherent protective layer over exposed bowel), sealed with an adhesive drape, and connected to continuous sub-atmospheric pressure (-75 to -125 mmHg). Dressing changes and assessments are conducted every 48 to 72 hours until sufficient granulation tissue permits definitive closure.
Graduated Primary Skin ClosureProcedure or surgery
Full-thickness interrupted retention monofilament sutures with protective bolsters/bridges are placed across the abdominal wall under local anesthesia at the bedside. Sutures are progressively tightened and approximated in sequential sessions every 48 to 72 hours to minimize tissue ischemia and tension until complete fascial and cutaneous apposition is achieved.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) | Experimental | Participants in this arm receive negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) using an open-cell polyurethane foam dressing, fenestrated adhesive drape, and continuous sub-atmospheric pressure standardized between -75 and -125 mmHg. A non-adherent protective layer is interposed over exposed bowel loops. Dressing changes and wound assessments are performed under aseptic technique every 48 to 72 hours until sufficient granulation tissue forms to permit secondary suturing or delayed primary closure. Receives: Procedure: Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) Therapy |
| Graduated Primary Skin Closure | Active comparator | Participants in this arm undergo bedside staged/graduated primary wound closure using full-thickness interrupted monofilament retention sutures with bolsters/bridges across the abdominal wall under local anesthesia. Sutures are progressively approximated and tightened in sequential sessions every 48 to 72 hours (mirroring the dressing change interval) to avoid tension-related tissue ischemia until complete fascial and skin apposition is achieved. Receives: Procedure: Graduated Primary Skin Closure |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Time to Complete Wound Closure
Measured as the number of days elapsed from the date of randomization until complete fascial and skin apposition of the abdominal wound is achieved, verified by clinical examination.
Measured: 30 days
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted1 Sep 2026
- Study startOct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionOct 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionNov 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Abdominal Wound DehiscenceStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Assiut UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Assiut University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Karmy Hany Farouk, Assiut University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07797868
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- VAC vs Graduated Burst Closure
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 1 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Vacuum-Assisted Closure Versus Graduated Primary Skin Closure for the Management of Postoperative Burst Abdomen: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07797868
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- VAC vs Graduated Burst Closure
- Keywords
- Negative Pressure Wound Therapy, Vacuum-Assisted Closure, NPWT, Graduated Primary Skin Closure, Staged Closure, Abdominal Wall Defect, Postoperative Complications, Incisional Hernia
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Assiut UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Oct 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Nov 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 1 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Burst abdomen, or complete abdominal wound dehiscence, is a severe postoperative complication characterized by the separation of the musculo-aponeurotic layer of the abdominal wall. It leads to extended hospital stays, high treatment costs, and an increased risk of long-term incisional hernia. While negative pressure wound therapy using vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) is widely utilized, graduated (staged) primary skin closure remains a common, accessible bedside alternative. Direct randomized comparative evidence evaluating these two approaches for established burst abdomen is limited.
The main objective of this study is to compare the clinical effectiveness and safety of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) versus graduated primary skin closure in the management of postoperative burst abdomen.
Participants will be randomly assigned (1:1) to one of two groups:
- VAC Group: Patients will receive continuous negative pressure wound therapy (-75 to -125 mmHg) applied via a specialized polyurethane foam and adhesive dressing, with changes performed every 48 to 72 hours until sufficient granulation tissue forms for definitive closure.
- Graduated Closure Group: Patients will undergo progressive re-approximation of the wound edges using full-thickness retention sutures placed under local anesthesia and tightened incrementally every 48 to 72 hours until complete closure is achieved.
The primary outcome of the study is the time to achieve complete fascial and cutaneous wound closure. Secondary outcomes include total length of hospital stay, incidence of surgical site infections, pain scores during procedures, wound recurrence, and incisional hernia formation during follow-up.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) | Experimental | Procedure: Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) TherapyParticipants in this arm receive negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) using an open-cell polyurethane foam dressing, fenestrated adhesive drape, and continuous sub-atmospheric pressure standardized between -75 and -125 mmHg. A non-adherent protective layer is interposed over exposed bowel loops. Dressing changes and wound assessments are performed under aseptic technique every 48 to 72 hours until sufficient granulation tissue forms to permit secondary suturing or delayed primary closure. |
| Graduated Primary Skin Closure | Active comparator | Procedure: Graduated Primary Skin ClosureParticipants in this arm undergo bedside staged/graduated primary wound closure using full-thickness interrupted monofilament retention sutures with bolsters/bridges across the abdominal wall under local anesthesia. Sutures are progressively approximated and tightened in sequential sessions every 48 to 72 hours (mirroring the dressing change interval) to avoid tension-related tissue ischemia until complete fascial and skin apposition is achieved. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Adult patients aged 18 years or older of either sex
- Clinically confirmed complete (full-thickness) postoperative burst abdomen following a midline or paramedian laparotomy
- Medically fit to tolerate bedside wound management/re-intervention (hemodynamically stable, not requiring vasopressor support)
- Patient or legal guardian willing and able to provide written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Planned or pre-existing open abdomen (laparostomy) at the index operation
- Presence of enterocutaneous or enteroatmospheric fistula at the wound site
- Uncontrolled intra-abdominal sepsis or ongoing hemodynamic instability precluding safe wound management
- Known hypersensitivity or allergy to polyurethane foam or adhesive drape materials used in VAC systems
- Active malignancy with peritoneal carcinomatosis where wound closure is not a treatment priority
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) TherapyUnder aseptic technique, non-viable tissue is debrided and the wound irrigated with normal saline. An open-cell polyurethane foam is trimmed to fit the wound cavity (with a non-adherent protective layer over exposed bowel), sealed with an adhesive drape, and connected to continuous sub-atmospheric pressure (-75 to -125 mmHg). Dressing changes and assessments are conducted every 48 to 72 hours until sufficient granulation tissue permits definitive closure. | Procedure or surgery | Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) |
| Graduated Primary Skin ClosureFull-thickness interrupted retention monofilament sutures with protective bolsters/bridges are placed across the abdominal wall under local anesthesia at the bedside. Sutures are progressively tightened and approximated in sequential sessions every 48 to 72 hours to minimize tissue ischemia and tension until complete fascial and cutaneous apposition is achieved. | Procedure or surgery | Graduated Primary Skin Closure |
Primary outcome
Time to Complete Wound Closure
Time frame: 30 days
Measured as the number of days elapsed from the date of randomization until complete fascial and skin apposition of the abdominal wound is achieved, verified by clinical examination.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 Sep 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) Therapy and Graduated Primary Skin Closure in people with Abdominal Wound Dehiscence and Burst Abdomen, run by Assiut University.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Time to Complete Wound Closure (time frame: 30 days). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Sep 2026.