Ventilation failure after endotracheal intubation in an infant with abdominal compartment syndrome: A case report

Abstract

Key Clinical Message Intra‐abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) are distinct clinical stages of pathology caused by increased intra‐abdominal pressure, which may lead to respiratory and circulatory dysfunction in children and is associated with high pediatric mortality. An emergency exploratory laparotomy was planned for an infant with ACS. After induction of anesthesia and endotracheal intubation, the patient developed ventilation failure and any management was ineffective. Ventilation was resumed after a race against time abdominal decompression by the surgical team. Abdominal decompression is the primary treatment to relieve respiratory and circulatory failure in children with ACS.

Keywords

• anesthesia, general
• compartment syndromes
• decompression, surgical
• hypoventilation
• infant
• intra‐abdominal hypertension