title: Recovery from respiratory failure after decompression laparotomy for severe acute pancreatitis.
abstract: We present three cases of patients (at the age of 56 years, 49 years and 74 years respectively) with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), complicated by intra-abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) and respiratory insufficiency with limitations of mechanical ventilation. The respiratory situation of the patients was significantly improved after decompression laparotomy (DL) and lung protective ventilation was re-achieved. ACS was discussed followed by a short review of the literature. Our cases show that DL may help patients with SAP to recover from severe respiratory failure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. sylvia.siebig@klinik.uni-r.de
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siebig
authors.forename: Igors
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Iesalnieks
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bruennler
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dierkes
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Langgartner
authors.forename: Juergen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schoelmerich
authors.forename: Christian E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Wrede
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000503:physiopathology; D000368:Aged; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000150:complications; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019283:Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing / Q000150:complications*; D011312:Pressure; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*