Abdominal Midline Wound Closure: Small Tissue Bites Versus Large Tissue Bites

This clinical trial is designed to evaluate two different methods of closing abdominal wounds after midline laparotomy surgery in adults. A midline laparotomy is a common surgical procedure in which an incision is made along the middle of the abdomen to allow surgeons access to internal organs. Proper closure of this incision is important because complications such as infection or reopening of the wound can lead to pain, delayed recovery, longer hospital stays, and additional treatment.

The study focuses on comparing a "small stitch" technique with the more traditional "large bite" technique used to close the abdominal wall at the end of surgery. Researchers want to determine whether the small stitch method can improve healing and reduce complications after surgery.

In the small stitch technique, sutures are placed approximately 5 millimeters from the edge of the wound and spaced 5 millimeters apart. This approach is designed to distribute tension more evenly across the wound and may help preserve blood supply to the tissues, potentially improving healing. In the large bite technique, stitches are placed farther from the wound edge and farther apart, which is the conventional method commonly used in many surgical settings.

The main goals of the study are to determine:

Whether the small stitch technique reduces the risk of surgical site infections Whether the small stitch technique lowers the chance of wound dehiscence, a serious complication in which the surgical wound partially or completely reopens after surgery Adults undergoing midline laparotomy surgery may be eligible to participate. During the procedure, participants will have their abdominal incision closed using either the small stitch or the large bite technique. The method used will be assigned according to the study protocol so that researchers can fairly compare outcomes between the two groups.

After surgery, participants will continue with routine postoperative care and attend follow-up visits approximately 2 weeks and 1 month after their operation. At these visits, the surgical wound will be examined for signs of infection, delayed healing, wound reopening, pain, or other complications. Researchers will collect and compare the results from both groups to determine which closure method provides better outcomes.

The information gained from this study may help surgeons identify the safest and most effective way to close abdominal incisions, potentially improving recovery and reducing postoperative complications for future patients undergoing abdominal surgery.