Elevated intra-abdominal pressure:A review of current knowledge

Elevated intra-abdominal pressure(IAP)is a known cause of increased morbidity and mortality among critically ill patients.Intra-abdominal hypertension(IAH)and abdominal compartment syndrome can lead to rapid deterioration of organ function and the development of multiple organ failure.Raised IAP affects every system and main organ in the human body.Even marginally sustained IAH results in malperfusion and may disrupt the process of recovery.Yet,despite being so common,this potentially lethal condition often goes unnoticed.In 2004,the World Society of the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome,an international multidisciplinary consensus group,was formed to provide unified definitions,improve understanding and promote research in this field.Simple,reliable and nearly costless standardized methods of non-invasive measurement and monitoring of bladder pressure allow early recognition of IAH and timely optimized management.The correct,structured approach to treatment can have a striking effect and fully restore homeostasis.In recent years,significant progress has been made in this area with the contribution of surgeons,internal medicine specialists and anesthesiologists.Our review focuses on recent advances in order to present the complex underlying pathophysiology and guidelines concerning diagnosis,monitoring and treatment of this life-threatening condition.

Should we perform decompressive laparotomy during severe acute pancreatitis with intra-abdominal hypertension below 25 mmHg:Only the gut knows

We suggest that during severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)with intra-abdominal hypertension,practitioners should consider decompressive laparotomy,even with intra-abdominal pressure(IAP)below 25 mmHg.Indeed,in this setting,non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia(NOMI)may occur even with IAP below this cutoff and lead to transmural necrosis if abdominal perfusion pressure is not promptly restored.We report our experience of 18 critically ill patients with SAP having undergone decompressive laparotomy of which one third had NOMI while IAP was mostly below 25 mmHg.

Effect of retension sutures on abdominal pressure after abdominal surgery

To evaluate the effect of retention sutures on abdominal pressure and postoperative prognosis in abdominal surgery patients. Methods： This prospective cohort study included patients who were admitted to Daping Hospital from May 15, 2014 to October 11, 2014. A total of 57 patients were enrolled, including 18 patients in the ＂U＂ type retention suture group, 17 patients in the intermittent retention suture group, and 22 patients in non-retention suture group. The demographic data, clinical data and risk factors for abdominal wound dehiscence were recorded. The bladder pressure （IVP） was monitored preoperatively, intraoperatively, and four days postoperatively. Additionally, the incidence of abdominal wound dehiscence and infection 14 days after the operation was recorded. Results： During the operation, the IVP decreased and then increased; it was at its lowest I h after the start of the operation （5.3 mmHg _＋ 3.2 mmHg） and peaked after tension-reducing （8.8 mmHg _＋ 4.0 mmHg）. The IVP values in the ＂U＂ type retention suture group and intermittent retention suture group were higher than in the non-retention suture group 4 days after operation （p 〈 0.005）. The Visual Analogue Scale （VAS） pain scores were 3.9 ~ 2.2, 3.8 ~ 2.0, and 3.0 _＋ 1,0 in the retention suture group, intermittent retention suture group and non-retention suture group, respectively. The VAS pain scores in the ＂U＂ type tension-reducing group and intermittent tension-reducing group were higher than in the non-tension-reducing group （p 〈 0,005）. Conclusion： Although retention sutures may reduce the incidence of postoperative wound dehiscence in abdominal surgery patients, they can increase the IVP and postoperative pain.

Indwelling catheter and conservative measures in the treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome in fulminant acute pancreatitis

AIM： To study the effect of combined indwelling catheter, hemofiltration, respiration support and traditional Chinese medicine （e.g. Dahuang） in treating abdominal compartment syndrome of fulminant acute pancreatitis. METHODS： Patients with fulminant acute pancreatitis were divided randomly into 2 groups of combined indwelling catheter celiac drainage and intra-abdominal pressure monitoring and routine conservative measures group （group 1） and control group （group 2）. Routine non-operative conservative treatments including hemofiltration, respiration support, gastrointestinal TCM ablution were also applied in control group patients. Effectiveness of the two groups was observed, and APACHE Ⅱ scores were applied for analysis. RESULTS： On the second and fifth days after treatment, APACHE Ⅱ scores of group 1 and 2 patients were significantly different. Comparison of effectiveness （abdominalgia and burbulence relief time, hospitalization time） between groups 1 and 2 showed significant difference, as well as incidence rates of cysts formation. Mortality rates of groups 1 and 2 were 10.0% and 20.7%, respectively. For patients in group 1, celiac drainage quantity and intra-abdominal pressure, and hospitalization time were positively correlated （r = 0.552, 0.748, 0.923, P 〈 0.01） with APACHE Ⅱ scores. CONCLUSION： Combined indwelling catheter celiac drainage and intra-abdominal pressure monitoring, short veno-venous hemofiltration （SVVH）, gastrointestinal TCM ablution, respiration support have preventive and treatment effects on abdominal compartment syndrome of fulminant acute pancreatitis.