THE INCISE POUCH - A HELPFUL DEVICE IN CONTINUOUS POSTOPERATIVE DORSOVENTRAL LAVAGE PROCEDURES

Dorso-ventral lavage procedures in the treatment of abdominal sepsis a re often complicated by technical and nursing problems. With the help of the Incise Pouch, which consists of an adhesive foil with a plastic bag around it, we have succeeded in solving the main problems of the dorso-ventral lavage procedure. (1) All the lavage solution is collect ed in the bag and drawn into a vacuum pump. The suction drains are pla ced directly in the bag. This enables us to measure the lavage solutio n exactly. (2) There is no leakage of liquid into the bed, so that the patient remains dry. (3) The danger of intestinal fistulas or intraab dominal bleeding caused by suction drains is eliminated (by putting th em into the bag of the Incise Pouch). If reexploration of the abdomina l cavity (''on demand'' or planned) is done, the Incise Pouch remains in position. This method makes early diagnosis and treatment of postop erative complications possible.