Management of open abdomen

Current status of the open abdomen treatment for intra-abdominal infection

The open abdomen has become an important approach for critically ill patients who require emergent abdominal surgical interventions. This treatment, originating from the concept of damage control surgery, was first applied in severe traumatic patients. The ultimate goal is to achieve formal abdominal fascial closure by several attempts and adjuvant therapies (fluid management, nutritional support, skin grafting, etc.). Up to the present, open abdomen therapy becomes matured and is multistage-approached in the management of patients with severe trauma. However, its application in patients with intra-abdominal infection still presents great challenges due to critical complications and poor clinical outcomes. This review focuses on the specific use of the open abdomen in such populations and detailedly introduces current concerns and advanced progress about this therapy.

Epidural analgesia decreases intraabdominal pressure in postoperative patients with primary intra-abdominal hypertension

INTRODUCTION

Surgical decompression is a lifesaving procedure in patients with severe intraabdominal hypertension. However, it involves subsequent management of an open abdomen. Therefore, it is not recommended for moderate intra-abdominal hypertension. Our literature search did not show any studies relating the efficacy of epidural analgesia in decreasing elevated intraabdominal pressure (IAP) in critically-ill surgical patients with primary intra-abdominal hypertension.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Through a blinded prospective study, we investigated postoperative critically-ill surgical and trauma patients with primary intra-abdominal hypertension, who received postoperative thoracic epidural analgesia (n = 58) or intravenous opioid analgesia (n = 130). Patients in the epidural group received ropivacaine 0.2% 10 ml, followed by an infusion of 5 ml/h for 96 hours. Patients in the opioid group could receive morphine hydrochloride (0.1 mg/kg IV for every 4-6 hours as needed) with or without ketorolac trometamol (up to 90 mg/day IV). IAP was measured transvesically, for every 6 hours. Additionally, measurements immediately before and 1 hour after the initiation of epidural analgesia were taken. Abdominal Perfusion Pressure (APP) was calculated for each IAP measurement as APP = MAP - IAP where MAP is the mean arterial pressure.

RESULTS

In the epidural group we found a consistent decrease in IAP from 16.82 +/- 4.56 to 6.30 +/- 3.11 mmHg and an increase in APP from 60.26 +/- 21.893 to 76.10 +/- 17.54 mmHg between baseline values until the second day of epidural analgesia, which remained stable afterwards. There were no significant differences of IAP and APP in the opioid group.

CONCLUSION

Continuous thoracic epidural analgesia decreases IAP and improves APP without haemodynamic compromise in postoperative critically-ill patients with primary intra-abdominal hypertension.

Abdominal compartment syndrome

The term abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) describes the clinical manifestations of the pathologic elevation of the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). When the IAP exceeds 12 mm Hg it is referred to as intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) while ACS generally sets in at an IAP in excess of 20 mm Hg. This syndrome is most commonly observed in the setting of severe abdominal trauma and in the aftermath of major abdominal operations. ACS affects mainly the respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal and the central nervous systems. Fundamental to the development of ACS are the obstruction of venous return to the heart via the inferior vena cava and the splinting of the diaphragm due to elevated IAP. Preventing ACS by the identification of patients at risk and early diagnosis is paramount to its successful management. To this end a high index of suspicion is sine qua non. The management of established ACS requires clinical astuteness and decisiveness with a readily available and generous team support. The purpose of this review is to enhance awareness among clinicians about a subtle condition with a devastating impact on morbidity and mortality if undiagnosed.