Avoidance of abdominal compartment syndrome in damage-control laparotomy after trauma.
OBJECTIVE
Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is a morbid complication of damage-control laparotomy. Moreover, the technique of abdominal closure influences the frequency of ACS.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
Urban level I trauma center.


METHODS
We studied 52 patients with trauma who required damage-control laparotomy during the 5 years ending December 31, 1999, and who survived longer than 48 hours.


METHODS
Abdominal compartment syndrome, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and multiple organ failure (MOF).


RESULTS
Mean (+/- SD) age was 33 +/- 2 years; 38 (73%) were male. Mechanism of injury was blunt in 29 patients (56%), and mean (+/- SD) Injury Severity Score was 28 +/- 2. Development of ARDS and/or MOF was seen in 23 patients (44%); ARDS and MOF increased mortality from 12% (3/26) to 42% (11/26). Abdominal compartment syndrome was a common complication (17/52), and was associated with an increase in ARDS and/or MOF (12 patients [71%] vs 11 patients [31%] without ACS; P =.02, chi(2) test) and death (6 [35%] vs 8 patients [23%] without ACS). Primary fascial closure (n = 10) at the initial laparotomy was associated with ACS in 8 (80%) (P =.001, chi(2) test) and ARDS and/or MOF in 9 (90%) (P =.01, chi(2) test); skin closure (n = 25), with ACS in 6 (24%) and ARDS/MOF in 9 (36%); and Bogotá bag closure (n = 17), with ACS in 3 (18%) and ARDS/MOF in 8 (47%).


CONCLUSIONS
Damage-control laparotomy is associated with frequent complications. In particular, ACS is a serious complication that increases ARDS and/or MOF and mortality. Avoiding primary fascial closure at the initial laparotomy can minimize the risk for ACS.
Offner
P J
PJ
Surgical Critical Care, Denver Health Medical Center, Department of Surgery, MC 0206, 777 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80204, USA. poffner@dhha.org
de Souza
A L
AL
Moore
E E
EE
Biffl
W L
WL
Franciose
R J
RJ
Johnson
J L
JL
Burch
J M
JM
D000005:Abdomen; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003120:Colorado / Q000453:epidemiology; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000071938:Fasciotomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000401:mortality; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000145:classification / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014193:Trauma Centers; D016896:Treatment Outcome