Secondary abdominal compartment syndrome in a case of pediatric trauma shock resuscitation

Fluid Management, Intra-Abdominal Hypertension and the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome: A Narrative Review

BACKGROUND

General pathophysiological mechanisms regarding associations between fluid administration and intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) are evident, but specific effects of type, amount, and timing of fluids are less clear.

OBJECTIVES

This review aims to summarize current knowledge on associations between fluid administration and intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and fluid management in patients at risk of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS).

METHODS

We performed a structured literature search from 1950 until May 2021 to identify evidence of associations between fluid management and intra-abdominal pressure not limited to any specific study or patient population. Findings were summarized based on the following information: general concepts of fluid management, physiology of fluid movement in patients with intra-abdominal hypertension, and data on associations between fluid administration and IAH.

RESULTS

We identified three randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 38 prospective observational studies, 29 retrospective studies, 18 case reports in adults, two observational studies and 10 case reports in children, and three animal studies that addressed associations between fluid administration and IAH. Associations between fluid resuscitation and IAH were confirmed in most studies. Fluid resuscitation contributes to the development of IAH. However, patients with IAH receive more fluids to manage the effect of IAH on other organ systems, thereby causing a vicious cycle. Timing and approach to de-resuscitation are of utmost importance, but clear indicators to guide this decision-making process are lacking. In selected cases, only surgical decompression of the abdomen can stop deterioration and prevent further morbidity and mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence confirms an association between fluid resuscitation and secondary IAH, but optimal fluid management strategies for patients with IAH remain controversial.

Damage control resuscitation: permissive hypotension and massive transfusion protocols

Evidence for changes in adult trauma management often precedes evidence for changes in pediatric trauma management. Many adult trauma centers have adopted damage-control resuscitation management strategies, which target the metabolic syndrome of acidosis, coagulopathy, and hypothermia often found in severe uncontrolled hemorrhage. Two key components of damage-control resuscitation are permissive hypotension, which is a fluid management strategy that targets a subnormal blood pressure, and hemostatic resuscitation, which is a transfusion strategy that targets coagulopathy with early blood product administration. Acceptance of damage-control resuscitation strategies is reflected in recent changes in the American College of Surgeons' Advanced Trauma Life Support curriculum; the most recent edition has decreased its initial fluid recommendation to 1 L from 2 L, and it now recommends early administration of blood products without specifying any specific ratio. These recommendations are not advocating permissive hypotension or hemostatic resuscitation directly but represent an initial step toward limiting fluid resuscitation and using blood products to treat coagulopathy earlier. Evidence for permissive hypotension exists in animal studies and few adult clinical trials. There is no evidence to support permissive hypotension strategies in pediatrics. Evidence for hemostatic resuscitation in adult trauma management is more comprehensive, and there are limited data to support its use in pediatric trauma patients with severe hemorrhage. Additional studies on the management of children with severe uncontrolled hemorrhage are needed.

Year in review 2012: Critical Care--Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and trauma

In 2012 Critical Care published many articles pertaining to the resuscitation of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and trauma. In this review, we summarize several of these articles, including those regarding advances in resuscitation techniques and methods. We examine articles pertaining to prehospital endotracheal intubation, the use of specialized devices for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and policies regarding transport destinations for both cardiac arrest and trauma patients. Articles on the predictors of outcome in both pediatric and adult populations are evaluated, including articles on the effects of obesity on survival from hemorrhage and pediatric outcomes from traumatic cardiac arrest. The effects of the type and volume of resuscitation fluids for both adult and pediatric patients are discussed, as are the factors contributing to hypothermia in trauma patients.

Resuscitation volume in paediatric non-haemorrhagic blunt trauma

INTRODUCTION

Trauma is a major cause of paediatric morbidity and mortality, yet knowledge of fluid resuscitation is limited. Our objectives were to determine current practises in resuscitation volume (RV) administered to paediatric non-haemorrhagic (NH) blunt trauma patients and to identify fluid related complications.

METHODS

We examined data from 139 trauma patients 1-17 years of age with an injury severity score ≥ 12 resuscitated at a Trauma-designated Children's Hospital. Patients were separated into discreet groups based on ATLS age-dependent vital functions: toddler/preschooler (1-5 years), school age (6-12 years) and adolescent (13-17 years).

RESULTS

The median RV (total fluid intake-maintenance fluid intake) in ml/kg over the first 24h from the time of trauma by age was: 24 (IQR=19-47; 1-5 years); 26 (IQR=15-36; 6-12 years); and 22 (IQR=14-42; 13-17 years). The differences in RV/kg/24h following NH trauma was not significantly different between age groups (p=0.41). Urine output over the 24h ranged from 2.5 (IQR=1.9-3.3; lower age group) to 1.8 (IQR=1.2-2.4; upper age group) ml/kg/h; greater than the ATLS recommended age-dependent targets. Haematocrit was the only significant independent predictor of RV/kg/24h (p<0.001). Fluid-related complications attributable to RV were identified in 12% (n=17/139) of patients, and included ascites (8%; n=11/139) and/or pleural effusion(s) (9%; n=13/139). Patients with fluid-related complications received significantly more RV in ml/kg/24h (42, IQR=27-76) than those without complications (22, IQR=14-36; p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The range of median RV administered to paediatric NH blunt trauma patients with ISS ≥ 12 was 22-26 ml/kg/24h. The RV administered was excessive based on high urine outputs and the presence of fluid-related complications. Further evaluation of RV triggers and endpoints used by paediatric traumatologists is required.

Influence of prehospital volume replacement on outcome in polytraumatized children

Introduction

Severe bleeding after trauma frequently results in poor outcomes in children. Prehospital fluid replacement therapy is regarded as an important primary treatment option. Our study aimed, through a retrospective analysis of matched pairs, to assess the influence of prehospital fluid replacement therapy on the post-traumatic course of severely injured children.

Methods

The data for 67,782 patients from the TraumaRegister DGU^® of the German Trauma Society were analyzed. The following inclusion criteria were applied: injury severity score ≥16 points, primary admission, age 1 to 15 years old, systolic blood pressure ≥20 mmHg at the accident site and transfusion of at least one unit of packed red blood cells (pRBC) in the emergency trauma room prior to intensive care admission. As volume replacement therapy depends on age and body weight, especially in children, three subgroups were formed according to the mean value of the administered prehospital volume. The children were matched and enrolled into two groups according to the following criteria: intubation at the accident site (yes/no), Abbreviated Injury Scale (four body regions), accident year, systolic blood pressure and age group.

Results

A total of 31 patients in each group met the inclusion criteria. An increase in volume replacement was associated with an elevated need for a transfusion (≥10 pRBC: low volume, 9.7%; high volume, 25.8%; P = 0.18) and a reduction in the ability to coagulate (prothrombin time ratio: low volume, 58.7%; high volume, 55.6%; P = 0.23; prothrombin time: low volume, 42.2 seconds; high volume, 50.1 seconds; P = 0.38). With increasing volume, the mortality (low volume, 19.4%; high volume, 25.8%; P = 0.75) and multiple organ failure rates (group 1, 36.7%; group 2, 41.4%; P = 0.79) increased. With increased volume, the rescue time also increased (low volume, 62 minutes; high volume, 71.5 minutes; P = 0.21).

Conclusion

For the first time, a tendency was shown that excessive prehospital fluid replacement in children leads to a worse clinical course with higher mortality and that excessive fluid replacement has a negative influence on the ability to coagulate.

Abdominal decompression in children

Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) increases the risk for mortality in critically ill children. It occurs in association with a wide variety of medical and surgical diagnoses. Management of ACS involves recognizing the development of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) by intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) monitoring, treating the underlying cause, and preventing progression to ACS by lowering IAP. When ACS is already present, supporting dysfunctional organs and decreasing IAP to prevent new organ involvement become an additional focus of therapy. Medical management strategies to achieve these goals should be employed but when medical management fails, timely abdominal decompression is essential to reduce the risk of mortality. A literature review was performed to understand the role and outcomes of abdominal decompression among children with ACS. Abdominal decompression appears to have a positive effect on patient survival. However, prospective randomized studies are needed to fully understand the indications and impact of these therapies on survival in children.

Abdominal compartment syndrome caused by massive pyonephrosis in an infant with primary obstructive megaureter

The authors report a case of abdominal compartment syndrome caused by massive pyonephrosis in an infant with primary obstructive megaureter successfully treated with emergency surgical decompression.

Abdominal compartment syndrome in childhood: diagnostics, therapy and survival rate

PURPOSE

The abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in childhood is a rare but dire disease if diagnosed delayed and treated improperly. The mortality amounts up to 60% (Beck et al. in Pediatr Crit Care Med 2:51-56, 2001). ACS is defined by a sustained rise of the intraabdominal pressure (IAP) together with newly developed organ dysfunction. The present study reports on 28 children with ACS to evaluate its potential role in the diagnosis, treatment and outcome of ACS.

METHODS

Retrospectively, medical reports and outcome of 28 children were evaluated who underwent surgical treatment for ACS. The diagnosis of ACS was established by clinical signs, intravesical pressure-measurements and concurrent organ dysfunction.

RESULTS

Primary ACS was found in 25 children (89.3%) predominantly resulting from polytrauma and peritonitis. Three children presented secondary ACS with sepsis (2 cases) and combustion (1 case) being the underlying causative diseases. Therapy of choice was the decompression of the abdominal cavity with implantation of an absorbable Vicryl(®) mesh. In 18 cases the abdominal cavity could be closed later, while in the other ten cases granulation of the mesh was allowed. The overall survival rate was 78.6% (22 of 28 children). The cause of death in the remaining six cases (21.4%) was sepsis with multiorgan failure.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that early establishment of the specific diagnosis of ACS followed by swift therapy with reduction of intraabdominal hypertension is essential in order to further reduce the high mortality rate associated with this condition.

Abdominal compartment syndrome: A review

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this review were to summarize a) the consensus definitions of normal and pathologic intra-abdominal pressure (IAP); b) the techniques to measure IAP; c) the risk factors for intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS); d) the pathophysiology of ACS; and e) the current recommendations for management and prevention of ACS.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed was searched using the following terms: ACS, IAH, IAP, and abdominal decompression.

DATA SYNTHESIS

ACS represents the natural progression of end-organ dysfunction caused by increased IAP and develops if IAH is not recognized and treated appropriately. Although the reported incidence of ACS is relatively low in critically ill children (0.6%-4.7%) it may be under-recognized and under-reported. The diagnosis of IAH/ACS depends on a high index of suspicion and the accurate and frequent measurement of IAP in patients at risk. Mortality from ACS remains high (50%-60%) even when decompression of the abdomen is performed early, which highlights the importance of detection and treatment of elevated IAP before end-organ damage occurs.

CONCLUSIONS

A widespread awareness of the recognition and current approach to management and prevention of IAH and ACS is needed among pediatric intensivists, so outcome of these life-threatening disease processes might be improved.

Management of abdominal compartment syndrome in a very low birth weight neonate using Penrose drains and subsequent management of abdominal-wall defects

Percutaneous drainage of the peritoneal cavity has been recently evaluated for the treatment of perforated viscous in the very low birth weight (VLBW) neonate and percutaneous decompression for abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) has been studied in older patient populations. This is the first reported case of using this technique to treat ACS in a VLBW neonate.