Clinical Evidence & Resource Hub

Access AbClo clinical resources, including peer-reviewed
evidence, case studies, clinical statistics, and education
materials for open abdomen management.
The resources below are intended to support
evidence-based decision-making, protocol development, and multidisciplinary education across trauma, acute care surgery, and intensive care settings.

Publications

Explore concise summaries of clinical evidence supporting the use of AbClo in open abdomen management and abdominal fascia closure.

These publications highlight key outcomes including fascial gap reduction, improved primary fascial closure rates, and reduced complications, providing clinicians with quick access to important clinical insights.

Colour hernia risk and fascial gap comparison chart

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

Retrospective cohort study evaluating incisional hernia occurrence up to 2 years following index laparotomy. This study includes 143 patients who underwent attempted PFC following care with either AbClo in conjunction with NPWT - AbThera (85 patients) or NPWT - AbThera alone (48 patients). In press, expected publication September 26, 2026.

4 cm average fascial gap at the time of closure in AbClo group vs 10.2 cm in the AbThera alone group.
3.7x higher hernia risk when completing closure on gaps larger than 10 cm.
16% hernia occurrence rate in AbClo group vs 40.8% with AbThera alone.
60.7% relative reduction in hernia risk when using AbClo.

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AbClo early placement fascial gap reduction chart

Early placement of a non-invasive, pressure-regulated, fascial reapproximation device improves reduction of the fascial gap in open abdomens: a retrospective cohort study.

Multi-center, retrospective cohort analysis investigating closure rates and fascial gap reduction when AbClo was applied early (within 24 hours of index laparotomy) vs late (following 24 hours of index laparotomy). 75 patients total were included across all centers, with 47 undergoing early AbClo placement and 28 having late AbClo placement.

74.5% fascial gap reduction within 24 hours of AbClo placement.
No cases of fascial dehiscence in AbClo group.
98% PFC rate, without mesh bridging, when applied within 24 hours of index laparotomy.
94% primary fascial closure rate in cases with 2+ takeback surgeries.

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Comparison of Primary Fascial Closure Rate in Open Abdomen Management: Wittmann Patch versus Abdominal Fascia Closure Device. (Abstract)

Abosena W., Bawazeer M., et al. ACS. 2024.

Management of the open abdomen: A systematic review with meta-analysis and practice management guideline from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma.

Mahoney EJ., Bugaev N., et al. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. 2024.

New non-invasive device to promote primary closure of the fascia and prevent loss of domain in the open abdomen: a pilot study.

Rezende-Neto JB., Camilotti BG. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open. 2020.

Economic Analysis of AbClo, a Novel Abdominal Fascia Closure Device, for Patients With an Open Abdomen Following Trauma or Acute Abdominal Surgery.

Chew DS., Dayal T. Surgical Innovation. 2024.

Case Studies

Real-world clinical cases demonstrating how the AbClo abdominal fascia closure device supports open abdomen management, fascial gap reduction, and primary fascial closure in complex trauma and acute care surgery scenarios.

Case Study 1Trauma & Stoma

A 41-year-old trauma patient presenting with a gunshot wound required damage control laparotomy and open abdomen management following severe abdominal injury. Despite multiple takebacks and delayed device placement, AbClo enabled progressive fascial re-approximation and successful primary fascial closure by post-operative day seven, while preserving both skin and fascia.

Case Study 2Acute Care Surgery & Elderly Stoma

An 80-year-old patient with septic shock from a perforated sigmoid colon required damage control surgery and open abdomen treatment. AbClo rapidly reduced a fascial gap greater than 25 cm to less than 3 cm within 24 hours, enabling successful primary fascial closure by post-operative day nine, despite multiple takebacks and complex comorbidities.

Case Study 3High BMI + Grade V Liver Injury + Blunt Abdominal Trauma

A critically injured trauma patient with a BMI of 65.8 kg/m² and Grade V liver injury required prolonged open abdomen management following damage control surgery. Even after five operative takebacks and significant fluid resuscitation, AbClo supported full abdominal wall movement and achieved primary fascial closure without abdominal wall complications.

Research Posters & Clinical Presentations

Explore scientific posters presented at leading trauma and acute care surgery conferences, showcasing clinical experience, case series, and emerging evidence supporting non-invasive fascial traction in open abdomen management.

Non-Invasive Rescue of the Complex Open Abdomen Following Trauma or Emergency Laparotomy

This conference presentation reviews a case series of complex open abdomen patients managed with AbClo®, including trauma, emergency laparotomy, previous bridging mesh, fascial dehiscence, and large ventral hernias. The findings demonstrate how non-invasive fascial traction supported rescue primary fascial closure in challenging clinical scenarios while reducing reliance on bridging mesh.

Single-Centre Experience Using the AbClo System

This clinical presentation summarizes a single-centre experience evaluating the AbClo abdominal fascia closure system in mechanically ventilated patients with an open abdomen. The poster highlights successful application, preservation of fascial integrity, compatibility with NPWT, and the potential to reduce repeat operative interventions while supporting primary fascial closure.

Peer-Reviewed Clinical Evidence

AbClo is supported by peer-reviewed research examining its role in fascial re-approximation and open abdomen treatment strategies.

These studies evaluate clinical outcomes such as primary fascial closure rates, abdominal wall integrity, and long-term patient recovery in trauma and acute care surgery settings.

Early Definitive Closure of the Open Abdomen: A Quiet Revolution

Bradford Scott, 2005

This paper explores evolving strategies for early fascial closure in open abdomen management following trauma and damage control surgery. It highlights how progressive traction techniques can counteract lateral fascial retraction and support earlier abdominal wall closure, emphasizing that achieving early closure reduces morbidity and simplifies surgical management.

Comparison of Outcomes Between Early Fascial Closure and Delayed Abdominal Closure in Patients with Open Abdomen

Yu Chen, 2014

This systematic review and meta-analysis of more than 3,000 open abdomen cases compared early versus delayed fascial closure. The findings demonstrate that earlier fascial closure significantly reduces postoperative complications and improves clinical outcomes, reinforcing the importance of timely closure in open abdomen management.

Open Abdomen and Temporarily Abdominal Closure

Abdelkader Boukerrouche, 2019

This review outlines modern approaches to temporary abdominal closure (TAC) in trauma and acute care surgery. The paper describes how TAC techniques, including negative pressure wound therapy and fascial traction methods, help prevent fascial retraction, contamination, and abdominal compartment syndrome while facilitating definitive abdominal closure.

Management of the Open Abdomen in Adults

Niels Martin, 2022

This review summarizes current clinical evidence on open abdomen management, including temporary abdominal closure strategies and fascial traction systems. The literature suggests that earlier abdominal closure improves long-term outcomes, including reduced pain, better quality of life, and improved return-to-work rates.

Ordering and Clinical Support

Access information on AbClo ordering, clinical training, and implementation support. Our team provides guidance on device application, integration with negative pressure wound therapy and open abdomen protocols, and educational resources to support safe and effective use in surgical practice.

Approval Support

AbClo is committed to supporting stakeholders in obtaining necessary approvals for local and system-wide usage.

With a national Vizient Innovative Technology contract, an HCA Smart Number and numerous past Lumere submissions, we work with your approval team in any needed capacity.

For a complete product information package, request our Value Analysis Kit.

Ordering Support

Ordering AbClo is easy and straightforward. We accept a range of payment structures and methods.

For more information, please contact our support email and our team will respond in a timely manner.

contact@abclomedical.com

Clinical Support

Despite our small size, clinical support is our #1 priority.

Clinical support is provided both in person and online with initial and periodic site visits from Clinical Educators and access to module-based education.

To request access to the online education portal or book an on-site education session with your team, reach out to our support email.

contact@abclomedical.com

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