Complex Abdominal Wall Reconstruction in Neutropenic Patients

The aim of our study was to determine whether patients with neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <= 1,500 cells/mu L) had higher rates of surgical site infection after elective abdominal wall reconstruction. This was a case series from a prospective complex abdominal wall reconstruction cohort describing the surgical outcomes of 4 neutropenic patients (ANC <= 1,500 cells/mu L) within 48 hours of index operation. Median age was 55 years, 3 patients were female. All patients had liver cirrhosis as a comorbidity: 2 patients as a result of alcohol abuse and 2 patients secondary to cryptogenic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, respectively. All patients underwent a posterior component separation with transversus abdominis release and retro-rectus biologic mesh. None of the 4 patients developed a surgical site infection 90 days postoperatively. Complex abdominal wall reconstruction in neutropenic patients could be safe.