Interrupted 'Figure-of-X' Versus Continuous Suturing Technique for Abdominal Wall Closure in Colo… (NCT07585344) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Interrupted 'Figure-of-X' Versus Continuous Suturing Technique for Abdominal Wall Closure in Colorectal Laparotomies
Pakistan40 participantsStarted 2025-11-07
Plain-language summary
This prospective randomized comparative study aims to evaluate whether interrupted figure-of-X fascial closure reduces the incidence of burst abdomen compared with continuous suturing in patients undergoing open colorectal laparotomy. Burst abdomen is a serious postoperative complication associated with increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stay, and reoperation.
A total of 40 adult patients undergoing elective or emergency colorectal laparotomy will be randomized into two groups: interrupted figure-of-X closure or continuous fascial closure. The primary outcome will be the incidence of burst abdomen within 30 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes will include surgical site infection, seroma, hematoma, and length of hospital stay.
The study is being conducted at the Department of General Surgery, Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adult patients (aged 18 years and above).
* Patients undergoing open laparotomy for histologically confirmed colorectal cancer.
* Elective surgical procedures.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients with a previous midline laparotomy within the last 30 days.
* Patients in whom the abdominal wall is planned to be left open or managed with a temporary closure (open abdomen).
* Patients with known connective tissue disorders (e.g., Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) that might impair wound healing.
* Patients with an expected survival of less than 30 days.
* Emergency laparotomies.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial compared two different suturing techniques for closing the abdomen after colorectal surgery — should I ask my surgeon which method they plan to use on me, and whether the results of this study might influence that decision?
2Since this study specifically looked at 'burst abdomen' as its main outcome, how serious is that complication, and what factors in my own health history might put me at higher or lower risk for it?
3This trial has already completed, so would my doctor be able to share or look up what the results showed about which suturing technique was safer or more effective for patients like me?
4Given that this was a non-phase trial focused on a surgical technique rather than a new drug, does the choice of suture method actually make a meaningful difference to recovery time or long-term outcomes after colorectal cancer surgery?
5Are there other aspects of my colorectal surgery — beyond the suturing technique studied here — that I should be discussing with my surgical team to reduce my risk of wound complications?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.