Current insights in intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome: open the abdomen and keep it open!
OBJECTIVE
The abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is associated with organ dysfunction and mortality in critically ill patients. Furthermore, the deleterious effects of increased IAP have been shown to occur at levels of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) previously deemed to be safe. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of all aspects of this underrecognized pathological syndrome for surgeons.
This review article will focus primarily on the recent literature on ACS as well as the definitions and recommendations published by the World Society for the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome. The definitions regarding increased IAP will be listed, followed by a brief but comprehensive overview of the different mechanisms of organ dysfunction associated with intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH). Measurement techniques for IAP will be discussed, as well as recommendations for organ function support in patients with IAH. Finally, surgical treatment and management of the open abdomen are briefly discussed, as well as some minimally invasive techniques to decrease IAP.


CONCLUSIONS
The ACS was first described in surgical patients with abdominal trauma, bleeding, or infection, but in recent years ACS has also been described in patients with other pathologies such as burn injury and sepsis. Some of these so-called nonsurgical patients will require surgery to treat their ACS. This review article is intended to provide surgeons with a clear insight into the current state of knowledge regarding IAH, ACS, and the impact of IAP on the critically ill patient.
De Laet
Inneke E
IE
ICU, ZiekenhuisNetwerk Antwerpen Campus Stuivenberg, Antwerp, Belgium.
Ravyts
Mariska
M
Vidts
Wesley
W
Valk
Jody
J
De Waele
Jan J
JJ
Malbrain
Manu L N G
ML
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D000465:Algorithms; D001458:Bandages; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D016638:Critical Illness; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000098:blood supply; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006874:Hydrostatic Pressure; D007511:Ischemia / Q000150:complications; D008365:Manometry / Q000379:methods; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012086:Reoperation; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000150:complications; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D013396:Suction; D013536:Suture Techniques