CClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT02706041Updated Nov 18, 2021Results posted

Damage Control Laparotomy

An interventional study of Definitive Closure Laparotomy and Damage Control Laparotomy in Other Injury of Other Intra-abdominal Organs, Initial Encounter, sponsored by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 16 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2021-11-18.

Sponsored by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
39
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
16 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Randomized study to compare outcomes of patients undergoing damage control laparotomies versus definitive closure for which there is surgeon equipoise to randomize.

Read the detailed description

Single center, prospective, randomized study involving seriously injure patients requiring an emergent laparotomy within 90 minutes of arrival to the emergency department. There are situations in which the patient is unable to be closed at the end of the emergent laparotomy (identified as damage control) and there are situations in which the injury has been treated and the incision can be closed (definitive). There are also situations where it is not clear if the patient should be kept open or closed and the result of the surgery varies based on the surgeon performing the case.

The eligible subjects for this study will be randomized toward the end of the emergent laparotomy procedure on a 1:1 basis and will be followed throughout the hospitalization for complications. Patients will also be contacted at 6 month to complete a quality of life questionnaire.

02

Conditions studied

  • Other Injury of Other Intra-abdominal Organs, Initial Encounter

Keywords

  • Exploratory Lap (Ex Lap)
  • Damage Control Laparotomy (DCL)
  • Definitive
03

In context

Lead sponsor

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston is the lead sponsor of 880 studies on the registry; 209 are open to participants now.

Of its 170 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 140 (82%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
16 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Emergent laparotomy
  • Patient has injuries for which surgeon has equipoise to perform a Definitive (DEF) or Damage Control Laparotomy (DCL)
  • Age ≥16 years (age cut-off for admission to adult trauma service at Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center)

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Indication for DCL for which there is no surgeon equipoise:

    • Need for gauze packing of liver or retroperitoneum for hemorrhage control
    • Immediate need to go to Interventional Radiology for hemorrhage control
    • Concern for Abdominal Compartment Syndrome - defined as physically unable to re-approximate fascia or >10mmHg change in peak airway pressure during fascial closure
    • Hemodynamic instability - defined as persistent hypotension, ongoing transfusion requirement, or continuous vasopressor use
  • Indication for DEF for which there is no surgeon equipoise:

    • Negative and non-therapeutic laparotomies
    • Isolated cystorrhaphy
  • Prisoners
  • Known pregnancy
  • Patients with burns > 20% of total body surface area
  • Patient/legally authorized representative opted out of exception from informed consent (opt out bracelet)
  • Currently enrolled in another interventional study
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
39 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Definitive closure laparotomy

    Subjects randomized to the definitive closure laparotomy arm will have the incision closed at the end of the exploratory laparotomy.

    Procedure: Definitive Closure Laparotomy

  • Other
    Damage control laparotomy

    Subjects randomized to the damage control laparotomy arm will have the incision left open at the end of the exploratory laparotomy. The trauma team will evaluate the patient's clinical course to determine when the incision can be closed.

    Procedure: Damage Control Laparotomy

Interventions

  • ProcedureDefinitive Closure Laparotomy

    Subjects randomized to the definitive closure laparotomy arm will have the incision closed at the end of the exploratory laparotomy.

  • ProcedureDamage Control Laparotomy

    Subjects randomized to the damage control laparotomy arm will have the incision left open at the end of the exploratory laparotomy. The trauma team will evaluate the patient's clinical course to determine when the incision can be closed.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of Participants Who Died or Had Major Abdominal Complication (MAC)

    Major abdominal complication (MAC) is defined as development of an organ/space surgical site infection, enteric suture line failure, fascial dehiscence, or unplanned return to operating room (OR).

    Time frame: 30 days

Secondary outcomes

  1. Number of Participants With Non-abdominal Morbidities

    Non-abdominal Morbidities include Acute Kidney Failure, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Pulmonary Embolism, Pneumonia, and Urinary Tract Infection.

    Time frame: 30 days

  2. Number of Hospital-free Days

    Number of days patient was not in hospital within the 30 day time frame.

    Time frame: 30 days

  3. Number of ICU-free Days

    Number of days patient not in the ICU during the 30 day time frame

    Time frame: 30 days

  4. Number of Ventilator-free Days

    Number of days patient not on ventilator in the 30 day time frame

    Time frame: 30 days

  5. Hospital Costs

    Time frame: 30 days

  6. Patient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the Standard Gamble

    Participants are asked to choose between two hypothetical outcomes: 1 - the sure outcome, that is, remaining in a state of ill health for a period of time; or 2 - the gamble, that is, choosing a medical intervention which has a certain probability of either restoring them to perfect health or killing them. The Standard Gamble identifies the probability (of the intervention delivering perfect health) at which the two alternatives (1 and 2) seem equally attractive. Scores range from 0% to 100%, with a score of 100% indicating that a choices 1 and 2 are equally attractive only when there is a 100% probability that the intervention will deliver perfect health, and a score of 0% indicating that choices 1 and and 2 are equally attractive even when there is a 0% probability that the intervention will deliver perfect health.

    Time frame: at discharge from hospital (about 20 days after intervention)

  7. Patient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the Standard Gamble

    Participants are asked to choose between two hypothetical outcomes: 1 - the sure outcome, that is, remaining in a state of ill health for a period of time; or 2 - the gamble, that is, choosing a medical intervention which has a certain probability of either restoring them to perfect health or killing them. The Standard Gamble identifies the probability (of the intervention delivering perfect health) at which the two alternatives (1 and 2) seem equally attractive. Scores range from 0% to 100%, with a score of 100% indicating that a choices 1 and 2 are equally attractive only when there is a 100% probability that the intervention will deliver perfect health, and a score of 0% indicating that choices 1 and and 2 are equally attractive even when there is a 0% probability that the intervention will deliver perfect health.

    Time frame: 6 months after discharge from hospital

  8. Patient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the 5-level European Quality of Life Scale-5D (EuroQol-5D-5L)

    The EuroQol-5D-5L assesses health-related quality of life. Total score ranges from 0 to 100, with 0 indicating the worst health imaginable and 100 indicating the best health imaginable.

    Time frame: at discharge from hospital (about 20 days after intervention)

  9. Patient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the 5-level European Quality of Life Scale-5D (EuroQol-5D-5L)

    The EuroQol-5D-5L assesses health-related quality of life. Total score ranges from 0 to 100, with 0 indicating the worst health imaginable and 100 indicating the best health imaginable.

    Time frame: 6 months after discharge from hospital

  10. Patient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Check List - Civilian (PCL-C)

    The PCL-C assesses Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Total score ranges from 17-85. A score of 17-29 shows little to no PTSD symptoms. A score of 28-29 indicates some PTSD symptoms. A score of 30-44 indicates moderate to moderately high severity of PTSD symptoms. A score of 45-85 indicates high severity of PTSD symptoms.

    Time frame: at discharge from hospital (about 20 days after intervention)

  11. Patient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Check List - Civilian (PCL-C)

    The PCL-C assesses Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Total score ranges from 17-85. A score of 17-29 shows little to no PTSD symptoms. A score of 28-29 indicates some PTSD symptoms. A score of 30-44 indicates moderate to moderately high severity of PTSD symptoms. A score of 45-85 indicates high severity of PTSD symptoms.

    Time frame: 6 months after discharge from hospital

07

Results

Posted Nov 18, 2021
Limitations and caveats
Small sample size; failure to accrue targeted sample size of 56; inability to blind; imbalance of baseline characteristics in randomized arms

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneDamage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure Laparotomy
Started1821
Received allocated intervention1818
Completed1818
Not completed03

Outcome measures

PrimaryNumber of Participants Who Died or Had Major Abdominal Complication (MAC)

Major abdominal complication (MAC) is defined as development of an organ/space surgical site infection, enteric suture line failure, fascial dehiscence, or unplanned return to operating room (OR).

Time frame:
30 days
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Number of Participants Who Died or Had Major Abdominal Complication (MAC)
ParticipantsDamage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure Laparotomy
Death or Major abdominal complication (MAC)612
Major abdominal complication (MAC)68
Death07
SecondaryNumber of Participants With Non-abdominal Morbidities

Non-abdominal Morbidities include Acute Kidney Failure, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Pulmonary Embolism, Pneumonia, and Urinary Tract Infection.

Time frame:
30 days
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Number of Participants With Non-abdominal Morbidities
ParticipantsDamage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure Laparotomy
Number of Participants with Acute Kidney Failure37
Number of Participants with Deep Vein Thrombosis02
Number of Participants with Pulmonary Embolism11
Number of Participants with Pneumonia68
Number of Participants with Urinary Tract Infection31
SecondaryNumber of Hospital-free Days

Number of days patient was not in hospital within the 30 day time frame.

Time frame:
30 days
Reported as:
Median · days
Number of Hospital-free Days
daysDamage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure Laparotomy
Number of Hospital-free Days13 (0 to 19)0 (0 to 11)
SecondaryNumber of ICU-free Days

Number of days patient not in the ICU during the 30 day time frame

Time frame:
30 days
Reported as:
Median · days
Number of ICU-free Days
daysDamage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure Laparotomy
Number of ICU-free Days24 (0 to 25)12 (0 to 24)
SecondaryNumber of Ventilator-free Days

Number of days patient not on ventilator in the 30 day time frame

Time frame:
30 days
Reported as:
Median · days
Number of Ventilator-free Days
daysDamage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure Laparotomy
Number of Ventilator-free Days27 (3 to 28)22 (0 to 27)
SecondaryHospital Costs
Time frame:
30 days

Results for this outcome have not been posted.

SecondaryPatient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the Standard Gamble

Participants are asked to choose between two hypothetical outcomes: 1 - the sure outcome, that is, remaining in a state of ill health for a period of time; or 2 - the gamble, that is, choosing a medical intervention which has a certain probability of either restoring them to perfect health or killing them. The Standard Gamble identifies the probability (of the intervention delivering perfect health) at which the two alternatives (1 and 2) seem equally attractive. Scores range from 0% to 100%, with a score of 100% indicating that a choices 1 and 2 are equally attractive only when there is a 100% probability that the intervention will deliver perfect health, and a score of 0% indicating that choices 1 and and 2 are equally attractive even when there is a 0% probability that the intervention will deliver perfect health.

Time frame:
at discharge from hospital (about 20 days after intervention)
Reported as:
Mean · score on a scale
Patient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the Standard Gamble
score on a scaleDamage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure Laparotomy
Patient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the Standard Gamble2.2 ± 5.00.4 ± 1.0
SecondaryPatient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the Standard Gamble

Participants are asked to choose between two hypothetical outcomes: 1 - the sure outcome, that is, remaining in a state of ill health for a period of time; or 2 - the gamble, that is, choosing a medical intervention which has a certain probability of either restoring them to perfect health or killing them. The Standard Gamble identifies the probability (of the intervention delivering perfect health) at which the two alternatives (1 and 2) seem equally attractive. Scores range from 0% to 100%, with a score of 100% indicating that a choices 1 and 2 are equally attractive only when there is a 100% probability that the intervention will deliver perfect health, and a score of 0% indicating that choices 1 and and 2 are equally attractive even when there is a 0% probability that the intervention will deliver perfect health.

Time frame:
6 months after discharge from hospital
Reported as:
Mean · score on a scale
Patient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the Standard Gamble
score on a scaleDamage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure Laparotomy
Patient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the Standard Gamble9.5 ± 16.81.7 ± 12.7
SecondaryPatient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the 5-level European Quality of Life Scale-5D (EuroQol-5D-5L)

The EuroQol-5D-5L assesses health-related quality of life. Total score ranges from 0 to 100, with 0 indicating the worst health imaginable and 100 indicating the best health imaginable.

Time frame:
at discharge from hospital (about 20 days after intervention)
Reported as:
Mean · score on a scale
Patient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the 5-level European Quality of Life Scale-5D (EuroQol-5D-5L)
score on a scaleDamage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure Laparotomy
Patient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the 5-level European Quality of Life Scale-5D (EuroQol-5D-5L)19 ± 3325 ± 33
SecondaryPatient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the 5-level European Quality of Life Scale-5D (EuroQol-5D-5L)

The EuroQol-5D-5L assesses health-related quality of life. Total score ranges from 0 to 100, with 0 indicating the worst health imaginable and 100 indicating the best health imaginable.

Time frame:
6 months after discharge from hospital
Reported as:
Mean · score on a scale
Patient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the 5-level European Quality of Life Scale-5D (EuroQol-5D-5L)
score on a scaleDamage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure Laparotomy
Patient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the 5-level European Quality of Life Scale-5D (EuroQol-5D-5L)55 ± 3649 ± 40
SecondaryPatient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Check List - Civilian (PCL-C)

The PCL-C assesses Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Total score ranges from 17-85. A score of 17-29 shows little to no PTSD symptoms. A score of 28-29 indicates some PTSD symptoms. A score of 30-44 indicates moderate to moderately high severity of PTSD symptoms. A score of 45-85 indicates high severity of PTSD symptoms.

Time frame:
at discharge from hospital (about 20 days after intervention)
Reported as:
Mean · score on a scale
Patient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Check List - Civilian (PCL-C)
score on a scaleDamage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure Laparotomy
Patient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Check List - Civilian (PCL-C)35 ± 1432 ± 15
SecondaryPatient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Check List - Civilian (PCL-C)

The PCL-C assesses Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Total score ranges from 17-85. A score of 17-29 shows little to no PTSD symptoms. A score of 28-29 indicates some PTSD symptoms. A score of 30-44 indicates moderate to moderately high severity of PTSD symptoms. A score of 45-85 indicates high severity of PTSD symptoms.

Time frame:
6 months after discharge from hospital
Reported as:
Mean · score on a scale
Patient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Check List - Civilian (PCL-C)
score on a scaleDamage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure Laparotomy
Patient-centered Outcomes Assessed Using the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Check List - Civilian (PCL-C)39 ± 1631 ± 11

Adverse events

Collected over From time of hospital admission to time of discharge from hospital (about 8 to 31 days). Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Damage Control Laparotomy0/18 (0%)11/18 (61.1%)6/18 (33.3%)
Definitive Closure Laparotomy7/21 (33.3%)16/21 (76.2%)7/21 (33.3%)
Most frequent serious events
Most frequent serious events
EventDamage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure Laparotomy
SepsisImmune system disorders9/1811/21
Organ/space surgical site infectionInfections and infestations5/188/21
DeathGeneral disorders0/187/21
Acute renal failureRenal and urinary disorders3/187/21
Reopening after closureSurgical and medical procedures2/186/21
Multi-organ failureGeneral disorders4/186/21
Fascial dehiscenceMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders0/184/21
Most frequent other events
Most frequent other events
EventDamage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure Laparotomy
IleusGastrointestinal disorders6/187/21
Superficial surgical site infectionInfections and infestations1/184/21
Deep vein thrombosisVascular disorders0/182/21
Pulmonary embolusVascular disorders1/181/21

Baseline characteristics

Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(years)Damage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure LaparotomyTotal
Median32 (28 to 40)29 (24 to 48)30 (24 to 46)
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Damage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure LaparotomyTotal
Female448
Male141731
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race/Ethnicity, Customized(Participants)Damage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure LaparotomyTotal
Race/Ethnicity — Black7310
Race/Ethnicity — Hispanic5712
Race/Ethnicity — White617
Race/Ethnicity — Other01010
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(Participants)Damage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure LaparotomyTotal
United States182139
Mechanism of Injury
Mechanism of Injury(Participants)Damage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure LaparotomyTotal
Blunt101222
Penetrating8917
Area of Injury
Area of Injury(Participants)Damage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure LaparotomyTotal
Liver101020
Spleen101121
Kidney6713
Small Bowel8917
Large Bowel6713
Pancreas3710
Stomach358
Major Venous Injury011
Major Arterial Injury101
Femur448
Pelvis7815
Traumatic Brain Injury5611
Grade of Liver Injury
Grade of Liver Injury(units on a scale)Damage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure LaparotomyTotal
Median3 (2 to 3)2 (1 to 3)3 (2 to 3)
Grade of Spleen Injury
Grade of Spleen Injury(units on a scale)Damage Control LaparotomyDefinitive Closure LaparotomyTotal
Median3 (1 to 3)4 (2 to 5)3 (2 to 4)

5 further baseline measures are reported on the registry.

08

Study locations

1 site
  • Memorial Hermann Hospital - Texas Medical Center
    Houston, Texas 77030, United States
09

References and documents

Publications

  • Harvin JA, Podbielski J, Vincent LE, Fox EE, Moore LJ, Cotton BA, Wade CE, Holcomb JB. Damage control laparotomy trial: design, rationale and implementation of a randomized controlled trial. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open. 2017 Apr 13;2(1):e000083. doi: 10.1136/tsaco-2017-000083. eCollection 2017. PubMed 29766087 ↗

Study documents

  • Protocol and statistical analysis plan · Jun 26, 2018

Documents are hosted by the registry — open the source record to download them.

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

10

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Nov 18, 2021, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
11

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT02706041
Lead sponsor
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Collaborators
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)
Responsible party
John Andrew Harvin (MD, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston) — Principal investigator
First posted
Mar 11, 2016
Start date
Jul 1, 2016
Primary completion
Nov 30, 2019
Completion
Apr 30, 2020
Results posted
Nov 18, 2021
Last update
Nov 18, 2021

Study contacts

John Harvin, MD
principal investigator · The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is completed, as verified in Oct 2021. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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