Table 2 Secondary endpoints within the CONTINT trial

Length of skin incision

Length of wound from the upper to the lower pole of the skin (cm) after abdominal wall closure (skin staples in place)

Length of fascia incision

Length of wound from the upper to the lower pole of the fascia (cm) after closure of fascia

Time needed for fascial closure

From the first stitch to the last knot (min)

Frequency of re-operation due to burst abdomen

Surgical intervention indicated due to the occurrence of burst abdomen after intervention

Frequency of re-operation

Any laparotomy at any time during the follow-up period

Frequency of abdominal re-interventions

Any puncture of the abdominal cavity (for example, computed tomography- or ultrasound-guided drainage) at any time during the follow-up period

Postoperative pulmonary infection

Infection of the lung with either evidence of increased infection parameters (C-reactive protein > 2 mg/dl and/or leukocytes > 10,0000 cells/ml) that are not caused by a different pathologic process or evidence of pulmonary infiltration in the chest X-ray, requiring antibiotic therapy. Decrease of lung function testing results (forced expiratory volume in 1 s and vital capacity) by 20% or more in comparison with the baseline lung function testing.

Duration of artificial respiration

Time on the respirator postoperatively (days)

Duration of postoperative hemodialysis

Time on hemodialysis (days)

Frequency of wound infection

Surgical site infections within 30 days divided into superficial and deep incisional infections according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition [14]

Duration of vacuum therapy

From first placement of the sponge to removal of the sponge (days)

Duration of wound healing in patients with secondary wound healing

From opening of the wound to complete skin closure (days)

Time to first bowel movement

From the day of surgery until day of patient’s first bowel movement

Quality of life

SF 36 filled in by the patient 30 days and 12 months after the index operation

Duration of abdominal drainage via intraoperatively placed drains

From the day of surgery until the day of removal of the last intraoperatively placed drain (days)

Duration of closed abdominal lavage

From the day of surgery until the last day of closed abdominal lavage via the intraoperatively placed drains (days)

Postoperative duration of hospital stay

From the day of the operation until the day of discharge (days)

Postoperative duration of intensive care unit stay

Time from admission to the intensive care unit until transfer to the regular ward (days)

Mortality

Death due to any cause at any time during the follow-up period