Noninvasive fascial traction improves primary fascial closure and reduces the incidence of incisional hernia…

Cohort studyThe journal of trauma and acute care surgery· Aug 2026

Noninvasive fascial traction improves primary fascial closure and reduces the incidence of incisional hernia in open abdomens.

Tyee Kenneth Fellows, Deanna Ng, Ori Rotstein … Toronto, Canada

Trauma & Acute Care SurgeryCohort studyQ1IF 3.4

Fascial traction device associated with markedly lower incisional hernia risk after open abdomen

Noninvasive fascial traction improves primary fascial closure and reduces the incidence of incisional hernia in open abdomens.

Tyee Kenneth Fellows … Toronto, Canada

The journal of trauma and acute care surgery · Aug 2026 · Q1 in Surgery

Background

Open abdomens (open abdomens) remain a major source of morbidity and mortality in trauma and emergency general surgery (emergency general surgery).

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors associated with primary fascial closure and the development of incisional hernias in open abdomens managed with two different methods.

Methods

Were divided into two groups, those treated with a noninvasive fascial traction device in conjunction with negative pressure wound therapy (negative pressure wound therapy) system (AbClo + AbThera) and those treated only with negative pressure wound therapy system.

n = 143 patients

Results

hernia risk dropped by more than half with the traction device

AbClo + AbThera

14.1%

AbThera alone

63.1%

More results

Primary closures were 94.1% (AbClo + AbThera) versus 72.4% (AbThera only); absolute risk difference 21.7% (95% CI: 9.5-34.8) and relative risk 1.30.

Fascial widths were narrower in successful closures 6.0 versus 11.9 cm and in AbClo + AbThera (4.0 cm) versus AbThera alone (10.2 cm); 61.3% reduction in gap size; (all P <0.001).

More results

The 12-month incidence was lower with AbClo + AbThera (14.1%) versus AbThera alone (63.1%), P <0.0001.

Fascia width ≥10 cm increased hernia risk (hazard ratio=3.71).

“

Conclusion · 1 of 2

Management of open abdomens with AbClo + AbThera improved fascial closure and reduced incisional hernias compared AbThera alone. ( J Trauma Acute Care Surg . 2026;100: 314-323. Copyright © 2026 The Author(s).

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma.). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.

Noninvasive fascial traction improves primary fascial closure and reduces the incidence of incisional hernia in open abdomens.

Noninvasive fascial traction improves primary fascial closure and reduces the incidence of incisional hernia in open abdomens.

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