[The "open abdomen" as one of the possible therapeutic alternatives in postoperative complications].

: The authors discuss the important problem of healing, infection of surgical wounds and causes of healing per secundam. Despite efforts on the part of surgeons to close the surgical wound, in particular in old people with polymorbidity, hypoproteinaemia and anaemia, disintegration of the surgical wound may occur which cannot be closed and healing must proceed while the abdomen is open.