Transverse laparostomy is feasible and effective in the treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome in severe acute pancreatitis

The open abdomen in trauma, acute care, and vascular and endovascular surgery: comprehensive, expert, narrative review

BACKGROUND

The open abdomen is an innovation that greatly improved surgical understanding of damage control, temporary abdominal closure, staged abdominal reconstruction, viscera and enteric fistula care, and abdominal wall reconstruction. This article provides an evidence-informed, expert, comprehensive narrative review of the open abdomen in trauma, acute care, and vascular and endovascular surgery.

METHODS

A group of 12 international trauma, acute care, and vascular and endovascular surgery experts were invited to review current literature and important concepts surrounding the open abdomen.

RESULTS

The open abdomen may be classified using validated systems developed by a working group in 2009 and modified by the World Society of the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome-The Abdominal Compartment Society in 2013. It may be indicated in major trauma, intra-abdominal sepsis, vascular surgical emergencies, and severe acute pancreatitis; to facilitate second look laparotomy or avoid or treat abdominal compartment syndrome; and when the abdominal wall cannot be safely closed. Temporary abdominal closure and staged abdominal reconstruction methods include a mesh/sheet, transabdominal wall dynamic fascial traction, negative pressure wound therapy, and hybrid negative pressure wound therapy and dynamic fascial traction. This last method likely has the highest primary fascial closure rates. Direct peritoneal resuscitation is currently an experimental strategy developed to improve primary fascial closure rates and reduce complications in those with an open abdomen. Primary fascial closure rates may be improved by early return to the operating room; limiting use of crystalloid fluids during the surgical interval; and preventing and/or treating intra-abdominal hypertension, enteric fistulae, and intra-abdominal collections after surgery. The majority of failures of primary fascial closure and enteroatmospheric fistula formation may be prevented using effective temporary abdominal closure techniques, providing appropriate resuscitation fluids and nutritional support, and closing the abdomen as early as possible.

CONCLUSION

Subsequent stages of the innovation of the open abdomen will likely involve the design and conduct of prospective studies to evaluate appropriate indications for its use and effectiveness and safety of the above components of open abdomen management.

Abdominal paracentesis drainage improves outcome of acute pancreatitis complicated with intra-abdominal hypertension in early phase

BACKGROUND

Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is an important risk factor for organ dysfunction, and it occurs in the early phase of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). We have reported a novel step-up approach and shown the benefit of performing abdominal paracentesis drainage (APD) ahead of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) when treating Patients with SAP with fluid collections. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of APD in Patients with SAP complicated with IAH in the early phase.

METHODS

In the present study, 206 AP patients complicated with IAH in the early phase were enrolled in hospital between June 2017 and December 2020. The patients were divided into two groups: 109 underwent APD (APD group) and 97 were managed without APD (non-APD group). We retrospectively compared the outcomes of the APD and non-APD groups for IAH treatment. The parameters including mortality, infection, organ failure, inflammatory factors, indications for further interventions, and drainage-related complications were observed.

RESULTS

The demographic data and severity scores of the two groups were comparable. The mortality rate was lower in the APD group (3.7%) than in the non-APD group (8.2%). Compared with the non-APD group, the intra-abdominal pressure and laboratory parameters of the APD group decreased more rapidly, and the mean number of failed organs was lower. However, there was no significant difference in incidence of infections between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Application of APD is beneficial to AP patients. It significantly attenuated inflammation injury, avoided further interventions, and reduced multiple organ failure.

Effect of continuous hemofiltration on severe acute pancreatitis with different intra-abdominal pressure: A cohort study

BACKGROUND

The clinical efficacy and timing of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) remain uncertain. In this prospective cohort study, patients with SAP were classified according to intra-abdominal pressure (IAP).

METHODS

Seventy-four patients with SAP admitted to the intensive care unit were randomly divided into group A (IAP ≥20 mm Hg) and group B (with IAP ≤20 mm Hg). Then, according to whether CVVH was administered or not, groups A and B were divided into 4 subgroups: group A1 and B1 (non-CVVH treatment), group A2 and B2 (CVVH treatment). Changes in clinical and laboratory indicators were recorded before and on the seventh day after treatment, and clinical outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Before treatment, there was no significant difference in general conditions between subgroups A1 and A2, and between subgroups B1 and B2. After CVVH treatment, the indicators recorded in group A2 were significantly improved compared to those in group A1 (P < .05). In group A2, the 28 day operation rate was lower (P < .05), as mechanical ventilation, gastric decompression, and intensive care unit treatment time were shorter (P < .05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in any of the above indicators between subgroups B (P > .05). Groups A2 and B2 had more days of negative fluid balance within 1 week of admission than groups A1 and B1 (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

For SAP, patients with IAP ≥20 mm Hg can benefit from treatment with CVVH, but for patients with IAP ≤20 mm Hg, the efficacy is not clear, and monitoring IAP may be an indicator to decide whether or when to initiate CVVH. Negative fluid balance caused by CVVH treatment may be one of the reasons for the benefit of this group of patients.

Management of abdominal compartment syndrome in acute pancreatitis

Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS), defined by the presence of increased intra-abdominal pressure>20mmHg in association with failure of at least one organ system, is a common and feared complication that may occur in the early phase of severe acute pancreatitis (AP). This complication can lead to patient death in the very short term. The goal of this review is to provide the surgeon and intensivist with objective information to help them in their decision-making. In the early phase of severe AP, it is essential to monitor intra-vesical pressure (iVP) to allow early diagnosis of intra-abdominal hypertension or ACS. The treatment of ACS is both medical and surgical requiring close collaboration between the surgical and resuscitation teams. Medical treatment includes vascular volume repletion, prokinetic agents, effective curarization and percutaneous drainage of large-volume ascites. If uncontrolled respiratory or cardiac failure develops or if maximum medical treatment fails, most teams favor performing an emergency xipho-pubic decompression laparotomy with laparostomy. This procedure follows the principles of abbreviated laparotomy as described for abdominal trauma.

Early intra-abdominal hypertension: A reliable bedside prognostic marker for severe acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is commonly associated with intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH). This acute increase of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) may be attributed to early organ dysfunction, leading to an increased morbidity and mortality. To assess the incidence of raised IAH and its correlation with other prognostic indicators and various outcomes in SAP.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This was a prospective observational study in patients of SAP between July 2009 and December 2010. All patients of SAP who were admitted to the hospital within 2 weeks of onset of pain were included in the study. A total of 35 patients with SAP were included in the study. Among these, 25 (71.4%) were males. All our patients had raised IAP; however, IAH was present in 51.4% (18/35). Patients with IAH were found to have a higher APACHE II score (88.9 vs 5.9%; P < 0.001), infectious complications (72.2 vs 5.9%; P < 0.001), circulatory failure (88.9 vs 0%; P < 0.001), and respiratory failure (100 vs 41.2%; P < 0.001). All the eight (22.8%) patients who succumbed to sepsis had IAH. Patients with IAH were found to have a significantly longer intensive care unit (ICU) stay (17.72 vs 12.29 days) and in-hospital stay (24.89 vs 12.29 days).

CONCLUSION

IAH is a good negative prognostic marker in SAP, seen in up to 51.4%. IAH was found to have a significant negative impact on the outcome in terms of increased mortality, morbidity, in-hospital stay, and ICU stay among the patients of SAP.

Abdominal Compartment Syndrome is an Early, Lethal Complication of Acute Pancreatitis

Data defining the optimal management of abdominal compartment syndrome resulting from acute pancreatitis are lacking. We investigated the outcomes of patients with acute pancreatitis who underwent surgery for treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome at a tertiary referral center. An electronic database was searched to identify patients with acute pancreatitis who underwent laparotomy between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2009, for treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome. Twelve patients underwent decompressive laparotomy for abdominal compartment syndrome. The median interval between onset of pancreatitis and laparotomy was 4.5 days. Nine patients underwent a laparotomy within seven days of onset of pancreatitis. As a result of cardiopulmonary instability, four decompressive laparotomies were performed in the intensive care unit. In 11 patients, cardiopulmonary improvement was observed. Statistically significant improvements were seen across multiple physiologic parameters. Despite this initial improvement, six patients (50%) died from multisystem organ failure. Two patients survived without need for pancreatic débridement. Abdominal compartment syndrome is an uncommon but likely underrecognized and highly lethal complication of acute pancreatitis that should be considered in patients who become critically ill early in the course of their pancreatitis. Prompt recognition and decompressive laparotomy may rescue some of these patients and does not mandate future débridement.

Abdominal Compartment Syndrome: Improving Outcomes With A Multidisciplinary Approach - A Narrative Review

Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) refers to a severe increase in intra-abdominal pressure associated with single or multiorgan failure. ACS with specific pathophysiological processes and detrimental outcomes may occur in a variety of clinical conditions. Patients with ACS are predominantly managed in critical care settings, however, a wide range of multidisciplinary interventions are frequently required from medical, surgical, radiological and nursing specialties. The medical management, aiming to prevent the progression of intra-abdominal hypertension to ACS, is extensively reviewed. Timing and techniques of surgical decompression techniques, as well as management of open abdomen, are outlined. In summary, the current narrative review provides data on history, definitions, epidemiology and pathophysiology of the syndrome and highlights the importance of multidisciplinary approach in the management of ACS in adults.

Minimally invasive pancreatic necrosectomy; a technical pictorial review

Necrotizing pancreatitis is the most severe form of acute pancreatitis, which is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Open necrosectomy has been one of the treatment modalities; however, it has been associated with high mortality rates and alternative minimally invasive procedures such as minimal invasive pancreatic necrosectomy (MIPN) were developed to improve on the outcomes. While current clinical evidence on MIPN showed significant advantages in terms of incidence of multiple organ failure, incisional hernias and new-onset diabetes there were no differences in terms of mortality rate. In this pictorial review we are presenting the technical details of MIPN as a minimally invasive procedure for the debridement of the necrotic pancreatic tissue and we will discuss the current evidence around the use of this procedure for the management of pancreatic necrosis.

Early Continuous Veno-Venous Hemofiltration Is Effective in Decreasing Intra-Abdominal Pressure and Serum Interleukin-8 Level in Severe Acute Pancreatitis Patients with Abdominal Compartment Syndrome

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of early continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) in decreasing the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and serum interleukin-8 (IL-8) level in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients with abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). Methods: Twenty-five ACS patients of SAP were enrolled in a prospective study conducted according to the standard management protocol. They were treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Affiliated Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang Medical College and underwent CVVH. Eleven patients were set up as the control group that received no hemofiltration and surgical treatment due to economic or other reasons but solely conventional treatment. Serum amylase, liver and kidney function, and C reactive protein were investigated before and after treatment. IAP and blood level of IL-8 were measured daily to investigate their time course of changes and the correlation between the 2 parameters. Results: Serum amylase levels, C-reactive protein and IAP were significantly lower and liver and kidney function was significantly better than those of the control group (p < 0.05). IAP on admission to the ICU was high, at 22.9 ± 2.1 mm Hg. The IAP was significantly lower to 17.2 ± 2.2 mm Hg (p < 0.01) 24 h after the initiation of CVVH, and thereafter decreased rapidly. The average blood level of IL-8 was high at 88.2 ± 25.1 ng/L on admission. However, it significantly decreased to 63.2 ± 18.7 ng/L (p < 0.01) 24 h after the initiation of CVVH, and subsequently decreased. There was a significant positive correlation between the blood level of IL-8 and IAP(r = 0.62, p < 0.01). Conclusions: CVVH is effective to decrease the IAP and the blood level of IL-8 in ACS patients of SAP. The blood level of IL-8 was significantly correlated with IAP, suggesting that IL-8 might play an important role in the pathogenesis of ACS. Early CVVH appeared to be effective in the treatment of ACS in patients with SAP through the removal of causative cytokines such as IL-8, and it thereby decreased interstitial edema to lower IAP and should be applied in the early stage of ACS. Video Journal Club ‘Cappuccino with Claudio Ronco' at http://www.karger.com/?doi=480223.

Interventional Treatment of Abdominal Compartment Syndrome during Severe Acute Pancreatitis: Current Status and Historical Perspective

Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a marker of severe disease. It occurs as combination of inflammation of retroperitoneum, visceral edema, ascites, acute peripancreatic fluid collections, paralytic ileus, and aggressive fluid resuscitation. The frequency of ACS in SAP may be rising due to more aggressive fluid resuscitation, a trend towards conservative treatment, and attempts to use a minimally invasive approach. There remains uncertainty about the most appropriate surgical technique for the treatment of ACS in SAP. Some unresolved questions remain including medical treatment, indications, timing, and interventional techniques. This review will focus on interventional treatment of this serious condition. First line therapy is conservative treatment aiming to decrease IAP and to restore organ dysfunction. If nonoperative measures are not effective, early abdominal decompression is mandatory. Midline laparostomy seems to be method of choice. Since it carries significant morbidity we need randomized studies to establish firm advantages over other described techniques. After ACS resolves efforts should be made to achieve early primary fascia closure. Additional data are necessary to resolve uncertainties regarding ideal timing and indication for operative treatment.

Necrotizing pancreatitis: A review of the interventions

Acute pancreatitis may have a wide range of severity, from a clinically self-limiting to a quickly fatal course. Necrotizing pancreatitis (NP) is the most dreadful evolution associated to a poor prognosis: mortality is approximately 15% and up to 30-39% in case of infected necrosis, which is the major cause of death. Intervention is generally required for infected pancreatic necrosis and less commonly in patients with sterile necrosis who are symptomatic (gastric or duodenal outlet or biliary obstruction). Traditionally the most widely used approach to infected necrosis has been open surgical necrosectomy, but it is burdened by high morbidity (34-95%) and mortality (11-39%) rates. In the last two decades the treatment of NP has significantly evolved from open surgery towards minimally invasive techniques (percutaneous catheter drainage, per-oral endoscopic, laparoscopy and rigid retroperitoneal videoscopy). The objective of this review is to summarize the current state of the art of the management of NP and to clarify some aspects about its diagnosis and treatment.

The open abdomen, indications, management and definitive closure

The indications for Open Abdomen (OA) are generally all those situations in which is ongoing the development an intra-abdominal hypertension condition (IAH), in order to prevent the development of abdominal compartmental syndrome (ACS). In fact all those involved in care of a critically ill patient should in the first instance think how to prevent IAH and ACS. In case of ACS goal directed therapy to achieve early opening and early closure is the key: paradigm of closure shifts to combination of therapies including negative pressure wound therapy and dynamic closure, in order to reduce complications and avoid incisional hernia. There have been huge studies and progress in survival of critically ill trauma and septic surgical patients: this in part has been through the great work of pioneers, scientific societies and their guidelines; however future studies and continued innovation are needed to better understand optimal treatment strategies and to define more clearly the indications, because OA by itself is still a morbid procedure.

Effect of obesity and decompressive laparotomy on mortality in acute pancreatitis requiring intensive care unit admission

Background

Controversy still exists on the effect that obesity has on the morbidity and mortality in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). The primary purpose of this study was to compare the mortality rate of obese versus nonobese patients admitted to the ICU for SAP. Secondary goals were to assess the potential risk factors for abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) and to investigate the performance of validated scoring systems to predict ACS and in-hospital mortality.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of adults admitted to the ICU for SAP was stratified by their body mass index (BMI) as obese and nonobese. The rates of morbidity, mortality, and ACS were compared by univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Areas under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the discriminating performance of severity scores and other selected variables to predict mortality and the risk of ACS.

Result

Forty-five patients satisfied the inclusion criteria and 24 (53 %) were obese with similar characteristics to nonobese patients. Among all the subjects, 11 (24 %) died and 16 (35 %) developed ACS. In-hospital mortality was significantly lower for obese patients (12.5 vs. 38 %; P = 0.046) even though they seemed to develop ACS more frequently (41 vs. 28 %; P = 0.533). At multivariable analysis, age was the most significant factor associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio (OR) = 1.273; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.052–1.541; P = 0.013) and APACHE II and Glasgow-Imrie for the development of ACS (OR = 1.143; 95 % CI 1.012–1.292; P = 0.032 and OR = 1.221; 95 % CI 1.000–1.493; P = 0.05) respectively. Good discrimination for in-hospital mortality was observed for patients’ age (AUC = 0.846) and number of comorbidities (AUC = 0.801). ACS was not adequately predicted by any of the clinical severity scores (AUC = 0.548–0.661).

Conclusions

Patients’ age was the most significant factor associated with mortality in patients affected by SAP. Higher APACHE II and Glasgow-Imrie scores were associated with the development of ACS, but their discrimination performance was unsatisfactory.

Laparostomy management using the ABThera™ open abdomen negative pressure therapy system in a grade IV open abdomen secondary to acute pancreatitis

Wound control in laparostomy for the treatment of intra-abdominal hypertension remains challenging and numerous techniques have been described. We report the first UK experience with a new commercially available device specifically designed to facilitate management of the open abdomen. A 44-year-old gentleman presented with a 3-day history of constant severe epigastric pain and associated vomiting. Amylase was markedly elevated and he was admitted for supportive management of pancreatitis, with subsequent transfer to intensive care due to severe systemic inflammatory syndrome. The patient decompensated, developing intra-abdominal hypertension with renal and respiratory failure. This was successfully managed by performing a laparostomy and using an ABThera™ Open Abdomen Negative Pressure Therapy System (KCI, San Antonio, TX). We describe its use to facilitate wound control, including enteroatmospheric fistula, allowing granulation and eventual restoration of gastrointestinal continuity 383-days after admission. We found the ABThera™ System proved to be a useful treatment adjunct, protecting intra-abdominal contents while removing large volumes of exudate and infected material from within the abdominal cavity. Complex cases such as this remain infrequent and this article provides a summary of our experience, including a review of indications for laparostomy and the underlying basic science in this difficult area.

Risk factors and outcome of intra-abdominal hypertension in patients with severe acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is common in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). The aim of the present study was to investigate the risk factors of IAH in SAP patients and assess the prognosis of SAP combined with IAH.

METHODS

To analyze the data from patients with SAP, both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied, using 16 indices, including age, gender, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores (APACHE II), 24 h fluid balance, hematocrit, serum calcium level, and so on. Clinical prognosis such as mortality, hospital duration, of SAP patients with or without IAH was also compared.

RESULTS

First 24 h fluid balance (Odds Ratio [OR], 1.003; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.001-1.006), number of fluid collections (OR, 1.652; 95% CI, 1.023-2.956), and serum calcium level (OR, 0.132; 95% CI, 0.012-0.775) were found to be independent risk factors for IAH in patients with SAP. Moreover, patients with SAP and IAH had significantly longer average length of stay, both in the hospital and in the intensive care unit, higher rates of systemic and local complications, and more invasive treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

The significant risk factors for IAH in patients with SAP include 24 h fluid balance (first day), number of fluid collections, and serum calcium level. Additionally, IAH is associated with extremely poor prognosis, evidenced by high rates of mortality, morbidity, and the need for invasive interventions.

[Abdominal compartment syndrome in severe acute pancreatitis -- literature review]

The incidence of intraabdominal hypertension or abdominal compartment syndrome, as the more severe form is called, is relatively high in patients with severe acute pancreatitis, and therefore more attention is needed to the topic. If conservative treatment fails, immediate surgical decompression is indicated. The most commonly used operation is a full thickness median laparotomy, but a transversal laparotomy may also be effective. Although subcutaneous linea alba, or bilateral anterior rectus fasciotomy is safe and effective, decompressive laparotomy is indicated in failure of these methods. The open abdomen therapy is not advised due to high morbidity. Primary closure of the abdomen is preferable.

Laparostomy closure in stage 4S neuroblastoma

Laparostomy in children is a rare procedure, and there is little in the literature as to the best method for closure in children with an open abdomen. We describe 2 cases with stage 4S neuroblastoma that required emergency decompressive laparostomy. Both cases highlight advantages and disadvantages with known techniques for achieving skin and fascia closure. We believe this to be the first report of a combination of extracellular matrix mesh and vacuum therapy for successful fascial and skin closure in stage 4S neuroblastoma.

Subcutaneous Linea Alba Fasciotorny, Does it Really Work?

Subcutaneous linea alba fasciotorny (SLAF) is a minimally invasive treatment method for abdominal compartment syndrome initially used in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). A retrospective analysis of the first 10 patients with SAP undergoing SLAF was performed to analyze the effect and outcome of this decompressive procedure. The mean age of the patients was 46 (range 33-61) years. SLAF was performed 1 to 17 days postadmission, in six cases within 48 hours. The mean (range) preoperative intra-abdominal pressure was 31 (23-45) mm Hg and immediate postoperative intra-abdominal pressure was 20 (10-33) mm Hg. The mean decrease was 10 (2-17) mm Hg and the decompressive effect was considered sufficient in six cases. A completion laparostomy within 24 hours was required in four cases. The mean preoperative Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score was 12 (4-17) and 11 (1-20) 1 to 5 days postoperatively. The decrease was five or more score points in three patients with successful SLAF. The overall mortality and morbidity rates were 4/10 and 2/10; no complications were attributed to the SLAF itself. It is concluded that SLAF is a safe decompressive technique in SAP-related abdominal compartment syndrome. The initial effect is sufficient in about half of the patients. A completion midline laparostomy is required in the nonresponders.

Decompressive laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure versus percutaneous puncture with placement of abdominal catheter in patients with abdominal compartment syndrome during acute pancreatitis: background and design of multicenter, randomised, controlled study

BACKGROUND

Development of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) has a strong impact on the course of disease. Number of patients with this complication increases during the years due more aggressive fluid resuscitation, much bigger proportion of patients who is treated conservatively or by minimal invasive approach, and efforts to delay open surgery. There have not been standard recommendations for a surgical or some other interventional treatment of patients who develop ACS during the SAP. The aim of DECOMPRESS study was to compare decompresive laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure and percutaneus puncture with placement of abdominal catheter in these patients.

METHODS

One hundred patients with ACS will be randomly allocated to two groups: I) decompresive laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure or II) percutaneus puncture with placement of abdominal catheter. Patients will be recruited from five hospitals in Belgrade during two years period. The primary endpoint is the mortality rate within hospitalization. Secondary endpoints are time interval between intervention and resolving of organ failure and multi organ dysfunction syndrome, incidence of infectious complications and duration of hospital and ICU stay. A total sample size of 100 patients was calculated to demonstrate that decompresive laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure can reduce mortality rate from 60% to 40% with 80% power at 5% alfa.

CONCLUSION

DECOMPRESS study is designed to reveal a reduction in mortality and major morbidity by using decompresive laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure in comparison with percutaneus puncture with placement of abdominal catheter in patients with ACS during SAP.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NTC00793715.

Intra-abdominal hypertension in acute pancreatitis

The incidence of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is approximately 60-80%. It is usually an early phenomenon, partly related to the effects of the inflammatory process, causing retroperitoneal edema, fluid collections, ascites, and ileus, and partly iatrogenic, resulting from aggressive fluid resuscitation. It also can manifest at a later stage, often associated with local pancreatic complications. IAH is associated with impaired organ dysfunction, especially of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal systems. Using current definitions, the incidence of the clinical manifestation, abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS), has been reported as 27% in the largest study so far. Despite several intervention options, the mortality in patients developing ACS remains high: 50-75%. Prevention with judicious use of crystalloids is important, and nonsurgical interventions, such as nasogastric decompression, short-term use of neuromuscular blockers, removal of fluid by extracorporeal techniques, and percutaneous drainage of ascites should be instituted early. The indications for surgical decompression are still not clearly defined, but undoubtedly some patients benefit from it. It can be achieved with full-thickness laparostomy (midline or transverse subcostal) or through a subcutaneous linea alba fasciotomy. Despite the improvement in physiological variables and significant decrease in IAP, the effects of surgical decompression on organ function and outcome are less clear. Because of the significant morbidity associated with surgical decompression and the management of the ensuing open abdomen, more research is needed to define better the appropriate indications and techniques for surgical intervention.

Surgical management of abdominal compartment syndrome; indications and techniques

The indications for surgical decompression of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) are not clearly defined, but undoubtedly some patients benefit from it. In patients without recent abdominal incisions, it can be achieved with full-thickness laparostomy (either midline, or transverse subcostal) or through a subcutaneous linea alba fasciotomy. In spite of the improvement in physiological variables and significant decrease in IAP, however, the effects of surgical decompression on organ function and outcome are less clear. Because of the significant morbidity associated with surgical decompression and the management of the ensuing open abdomen, more research is needed to better define the appropriate indications and techniques for surgical intervention.

Abdominal compartment syndrome

Increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) has received growing attention in critically ill patients. Pathophysiologically, it deranges cardiovascular haemodynamics, respiratory and renal functions and may eventually lead to multi-organ failure. It is primarily seen in surgical intensive care units and is frequently associated with abdominal trauma but also occurs after elective abdominal surgery. Non-surgical intensivists ought to be aware that the syndrome is also seen in a wide spectrum of medical conditions, e.g. acute pancreatitis. An expert panel has recently set up definitions of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH, sustained or repeated pathological elevation in IAP > or = 12 mmHg) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS, sustained IAP > 20 mmHg associated with a new organ dysfunction or failure). As clinical signs of IAH are unreliable, IAP should be measured non-invasively by the 'bladder technique'. It is hoped that the consensus definitions will contribute to a broader recognition and effective treatment of this life-threatening syndrome.