Aim: to evaluate the effectiveness of supporting plastic tubes technique (new technique) in prophylaxis against burst 
abdomen. 
Methods: a total of 140 patients, 76 patients underwent emergency laparotomy and 64 underwent elective laparotomy 
through midline laparotomy through a midline vertical incision. They were randomized to either mass closure alone or 
mass closure plus supporting plastic tube technique. All patients were consented. 
Results: There were 3 bursts out of 70 patients in the mass closure alone group (4.28% risk). while none of the patients in 
the supporting tubes group underwent burst (0% risk).However, there were two cases in the later group developed 
incisional hernia in the late post-operative period. 
Conclusion: supporting plastic tubes method is a good prophylactic method against burst abdomen, not for incisional 
hernia, and it is advised to be used in all risky patients.