title: Abdominal compartment syndrome after liver transplantation.
abstract: The abdominal compartment syndrome is a well-known complication after abdominal trauma and is increasingly recognized as a potential risk factor for renal failure and mortality after adult orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). We present a case report of a young patient who presented with acute liver failure complicated by an acute pancreatitis. The patient developed an acute abdominal compartment syndrome after OLT. Transurethral measurement of intraabdominal pressure indicated an abdominal compartment syndrome associated with impaired abdominal vascular perfusion, including liver perfusion. Renal insufficiency was immediately reversed after decompressive bedside laparotomy. The abdominal compartment syndrome is a potential source of posttransplant renal insufficiency and liver necrosis in OLT. It remains, however, a rarely described complication after liver transplantation, despite the presence of significant factors that contribute to elevated intraabdominal pressure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Ramistr. 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Alexander E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Handschin
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Eberhard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Renner
authors.forename: Pierre-Alain
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Clavien
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000601:surgery*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011312:Pressure; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed