[Importance of abdominal compartment syndrome in Germany: a questionnaire].
BACKGROUND
The abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is a life-threatening condition and may affect any critically ill patient. Little is known about the recognition and management of the ACS in Germany.


METHODS
A postal questionnaire was sent to departments of surgery and anesthesia of German hospitals with more than 450 beds.


RESULTS
From the 222 eligible hospitals a total of 113 replies were received. Most respondents (95%) indicated that the ACS plays a role in their clinical practice. Measurement of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is not performed by 26% while it is routinely done by 30%. Intra-abdominal pressure is mostly (94%) assessed via the bladder pressure. Of the respondents 41% measure IAP only in those patients thought likely to develop ACS. Risk factors of the ACS would lead to IAP monitoring in 10-23% of cases. The majority (86%) would require signs of organ dysfunction together with exceeding the IAD threshold in order to opt for a surgical decompression. The attitude towards the critical threshold (>20 mmHg or >25 mmhg) divided respondents into two groups of similar size (39% compared to 47%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
German anesthesiologists and surgeons are familiar with the ACS. However, about one-quarter never measure IAP and there is a considerable variance as to which patients are at risk to develop ACS and how often IAP should be measured in these patients. This could indicate a lack of acceptance or simply a persisting need for more data concerning the avoidance and treatment of the ACS.
Otto
J
J
Chirurgische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum der RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Deutschland. jeotto@ukaachen.de
Kaemmer
D
D
Höer
J
J
Jansen
M
M
Schumpelick
V
V
Strik
M
M
Kuhlen
R
R
Schachtrupp
A
A
D000005:Abdomen; D002496:Central Venous Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D016638:Critical Illness; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D011312:Pressure; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000503:physiopathology