Various methods may be used for temporary closure of the abdomen. Use of the "Bogota bag" (BB) technique for abdominal closure has been reported primarily in the management of injuries. This review describes our experience using the BB technique in cases of secondary peritonitis. Abdomenal closure using BB was reviewed retrospectively in 152 patients with secondary peritonitis. Of the 152 cases of BB use reviewed, 79 patients had complications of previous abdominal operations, 57 had secondary peritonitis, 14 had complications of abdominal trauma, and 2 were cases of mesenteric events. The BB remained in situ from 1 to 19 days. Changes occurred between 1 and 11 times per patient (mean, 2.8). In nine patients, early diagnosis of leaking of small bowel content under the bag was noted, and 36 patients (24%) died from sepsis. In 12 patients, the resolution of abdominal sepsis permitted secondary closure 10 days later. In 16 patients, mesh repair was performed after 4 weeks. Musculocutaneal flap repair was used in one case, and 13 patients had skin grafts. Eleven patients eventually underwent ventral hernia repair. Early temporary closure of the abdominal wall using BB in patients with abdominal sepsis and planned re-explorations is simple, safe, inexpensive, and effective. This temporary abdominal cover provides good exposure of abdominal content between re-explorations and may prevent fistula formation. The development and subsequent repair of large hernias constitute one of the difficult postoperative problems requiring future solution.