Vacuum-assisted closure versus on-demand relaparotomy in patients with secondary peritonitis-the VACOR trial: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Secondary peritonitis is a severe condition with a 20-32% reported mortality. The accepted treatment modalities are vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) or primary closure with relaparotomy on-demand (ROD). However, no randomised controlled trial has been completed to compare the two methods potential benefits and disadvantages. METHODS: This study will be a randomised controlled multicentre trial, including patients aged 18 years or older with purulent or faecal peritonitis confined to at least two of the four abdominal quadrants originating from the small intestine, colon, or rectum. Randomisation will be web-based to either primary closure with ROD or VAC in blocks of 2, 4, and 6. The primary endpoint is peritonitis-related complications within 30 or 90 days and one year after index operation. Secondary outcomes are comprehensive complication index (CCI) and mortality after 30 or 90 days and one year; quality of life assessment by (SF-36) after three and 12 months, the development of incisional hernia after 12 months assessed by clinical examination and CT-scanning and healthcare resource utilisation. With an estimated superiority of 15% in the primary outcome for VAC, 340 patients must be included. Hospitals in Denmark and Europe will be invited to participate. DISCUSSION: There is no robust evidence for choosing either open abdomen with VAC treatment or primary closure with relaparotomy on-demand in patients with secondary peritonitis. The present study has the potential to answer this important clinical question. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study protocol has been registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03932461). Protocol version 1.0, 9 January 2022.

[Trichobezoar as cause of ileus with several perforations of the small intestine in a 15-year-old girl].

A 15-year-old girl was admitted to the paediatric ward due to abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. Her symptoms could not be explained by the clinical examinations, blood samples or ultrasound, but she had a history of tricho-phagia. A CT-scan showed gastric retention, and an endoscopy revealed a trichobezoar, which was removed by a laparotomy. Furthermore, a smaller bezoar and three perforations were found in the proximal part of the small intestine. The treatment of trichobezoars should include surgery as well as multidisciplinary involvement to prevent future trichophagia.