Recently, a new FDA listed system (ABRA by Canica) has been introduced using a progressive tension system as a novel approach to the management of open abdomen. ABRA provides a dynamic reduction of full thickness, severely retracted midline abdominal defects with the goal of maintaining or restoring the primary closure option. This subdermal method uses button anchors and elastomer to gradually pull the wound margins together. Tension can be set and adjusted according to the desired outcome; to stabilize a retracted wound, reduce the wound, close the wound or prevent wound dehiscence (Attachment 1: Company brochure). Currently there is only one published case report of the success of this device. We hope to be the first center to prospectively report a series of patients with open abdomen managed with the new ABRA system. In this study, this system will be used in combination with a standard therapy used in abdominal wound closure at the University of Kentucky Medical Center. This system is called the V.A.C system (V.A.C.; KCI International, San Antonio, Tx). This therapy provides active exudate management and containment, assists in reducing abdominal volume and adds structural stabilization to adipose tissue.