Risk Factors for Abdominal Wound Dehiscence in Neonates: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract Background: Abdominal wound dehiscence (AWD) is a major complication of abdominal surgery, neonates are a group with a high risk of AWD, which has serious consequences or can even result in death. The purpose of this study is to explore the risk factors for neonatal AWD.Methods: The clinical data for 453 cases of neonatal laparotomy from June 2009 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, among which 27 cases of AWD were found. Nine factors, including gender, age at admission, weight at admission, preterm delivery, level of preoperative anemia, hypoalbuminemia, operation time, incision length, and incision type, were analyzed to explore their correlation with neonatal AWD.Results: The incidence of neonatal AWD was 6.0% (27/453), of which partial wound dehiscence 4.9% (22/453) and complete wound dehiscence 1.1% (5/453). Anemia, hypoproteinemia, and wound contamination were the main risk factors for neonatal AWD. The AWD-free survival rates for infants with severe anemia and mild to moderate anemia were 83.3% and 91.2%, respectively. The AWD-free survival rates for those with hypoproteinemia, type II and type III incision were 88.0%, 95.1% and 87.1%, respectively.Conclusion: Neonatal AWD is closely related to anemia, hypoproteinemia, and incision contamination. It is of great significance for the prevention of neonatal AWD to strengthen nutritional support, correct preoperative anemia, and control infection.Trial registration: Research Registry, researchregistry5350. Registered 01 February 2020 - Retrospectively registered, https://www.researchregistry.com/browse-the-registry#home/registrationdetails/5e359028eef79c001577fa18/