The Wittmann Patch is a temporary abdominal fascia prosthesis for the planned open abdomen to ease the management of cases where the abdomen cannot be closed due to abdominal compartment syndrome or because multiple further operations are planned (damage control repair [DCR]).
Wittmann Patch (Starsurgical, Inc., Burlington WI) A Acute conditions B Chronic conditions C Prophylactically to avoid abdominal compartment syndrome The patch is not intended for permanent implantation.
The original bur as used by Wittmann consists of two sheets of the same size of 40 × 20 cm: The softer loop sheet is sutured to the right fascia using a running looped #1 Nylon suture.
The sheet with loops facing outwards is then pushed between parietal and visceral peritoneum of the other side of the incision covering abdominal content.
Generally, the hook sheet is trimmed to fit the size of the open abdomen wound.