The Journal of Critical Care Medicine (Oct 2018)

Abdominal Compartment Syndrome as a Multidisciplinary Challenge. A Literature Review

  • Popescu Gabriel Alexandru,
  • Bara Tivadar,
  • Rad Paul

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2478/jccm-2018-0024
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 4
pp. 114 – 119

Abstract

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Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (ACS), despite recent advances in medical and surgical care, is a significant cause of mortality. The purpose of this review is to present the main diagnostic and therapeutic aspects from the anesthetical and surgical points of view. Intra-abdominal hypertension may be diagnosed by measuring intra-abdominal pressure and indirectly by imaging and radiological means. Early detection of ACS is a key element in the ACS therapy. Without treatment, more than 90% of cases lead to death and according with the last reports, despite all treatment measures, the mortality rate is reported as being between 25 and 75%. There are conflicting reports as to the importance of a conservative therapy approach, although such an approach is the central to treatment guidelines of the World Society of Abdominal Compartment Syndrome, Decompressive laparotomy, although a backup solution in ACS therapy, reduces mortality by 16-37%. The open abdomen management has several variants, but negative pressure wound therapy represents the gold standard of surgical treatment.

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