Recognition Of Abdominal Compartment Syndrome Research Articles

Management of Severe Acute Pancreatitis.

Purpose of reviewThere have been significant advancements in different aspects of management of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Our review of the most recent literature focuses on severity prediction, fluid resuscitation, analgesic administration, nutrition, and endoscopic intervention for SAP and its extra-pancreatic complications.Recent findingsRecent studies on serum cytokines for the prediction of SAP have shown superior prognostic performance when compared with conventional laboratory tests and clinical scoring systems. In patients with established SAP and vascular leak syndrome, intravenous fluids should be administered with caution to prevent intra-abdominal hypertension and volume overload. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography improves outcomes only in AP patients with suspected cholangitis. Early enteral tube-feeding does not appear to be superior to on-demand oral feeding. Abdominal compartment syndrome is a highly lethal complication of SAP that requires percutaneous drainage or decompressive laparotomy. Endoscopic transmural drainage followed by necrosectomy (i.e., “step-up approach”) is the treatment strategy of choice in patients with symptomatic or infected walled-off pancreatic necrosis.SummarySAP is a complex clinical syndrome associated with a high mortality rate. Early prediction of SAP remains challenging due to the limited accuracy of the available prediction tools. Early fluid resuscitation, organ support, enteral nutrition, and prevention of/or prompt recognition of abdominal compartment syndrome remain cornerstones of its management. A step-up, minimally invasive drainage/debridement is the preferred approach for patients with infected pancreatic necrosis.

Assessment of Intensivists’ Knowledge on Abdominal Compartment Syndrome

: Early recognition of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is essential, as delay in the diagnosis may induce a negative impact on prognosis. However, there are some evidences suggesting a low level of knowledge concerning ACS in intensive care units (ICU). The aim of this study was to evaluate the intensivist's knowledge on ACS. We distributed 49 questionnaires, with 13 multiple choice questions, in seven ICU, which addressed the concept, diagnosis, and management of ACS. Thirty-two questionnaires were answered. Forty-seven percent of respondents have more than 16 years of medical practice and spend more than 50% of their time in ICU. Although 75% reported having knowledge of ACS' concept, only 34% had measured intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). The most used method for measurements was urinary catheterization (91%). For 37%, the frequency of measurement should be based on clinical data rather than IAP values. Regarding the indication to IAP monitoring, the choices were performing the measurement after urgent laparotomy (25%), in massive volemic replacement (18%) and in other hazardous conditions (57%). The lack of information about measurement techniques was the main reason for not measuring IAP. Most respondents (90%) suggested the measurement of IAP as a routine in ICU. Intensivists' knowledge on ACS was low, as most were not able to measure, interpret the results and recognize important risk factors for IAP. These data demonstrate that educational efforts concerning ACS are necessary in order to standardize the measurement of IAP in populations at risk, aiming at a better outcome in critically ill patients.

Abdominal compartment syndrome after endovascular repair of ruptured iliac artery aneurysm

Abdominal compartment syndrome is a possible complication after aneurysm repair and has a high mortality rate. Although there has been an increment in patient survival rates after aneurysm repair, there has also been an increase in this entity. However, there are few data about the incidence and management of this complication after endovascular repair of a ruptured iliac artery aneurysm. The objective of this report is to describe a case of abdominal compartment syndrome after endovascular correction of a ruptured iliac artery aneurysm, emphasizing the importance of the accurate monitoring of intra-abdominal pressure, medical therapy and timely laparotomy. An 85-year old male was submitted to the endovascular repair of a ruptured iliac artery aneurysm. On the first day after the intervention, he developed abdominal compartment syndrome which did not resolve with medical therapy. Consequently, on the second postoperative day, a decompressive laparotomy was performed, removing the retroperitoneal haematoma, which was the main cause of the high intra-abdominal pressure and the abdominal compartment syndrome. At 12 months of follow-up, there was no evidence of complications. This case stresses the importance of early recognition of abdominal compartment syndrome.

Understanding of Abdominal Compartment Syndrome among Pediatric Healthcare Providers.

Background. The sparse reporting of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in the pediatric literature may reflect inadequate awareness and recognition among pediatric healthcare providers (HCP). Purpose. To assess awareness of ACS, knowledge of the definition and intraabdominal pressure (IAP) measurement techniques used among pediatric HCP. Method. A written survey distributed at two pediatric critical care conferences. Results. Forty-seven percent of 1107 questionnaires were completed. Participants included pediatric intensivists, pediatric nurses, and others. Seventy-seven percent (n = 513) of participants had heard of ACS. Only 46.8% defined ACS correctly. The threshold IAP value used to define ACS was variable among participants. About one-quarter of participants (83/343), had never measured IAP. Conclusion. Twenty-three percent of HCP surveyed were unaware of ACS. Criteria used to define ACS were variable. Focused education on recognition of ACS and measuring IAP should be promoted among pediatric HCP.

Early recognition of abdominal compartment syndrome in patients with acute pancreatitis

To assess the value of widely used clinical scores in the early identification of acute pancreatitis (AP) patients who are likely to suffer from intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). Patients (n = 44) with AP recruited in this study were divided into two groups (ACS and non-ACS) according to intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) determined by indirect measurement using the transvesical route via Foley bladder catheter. On admission and at regular intervals, the severity of the AP and presence of organ dysfunction were assessed utilizing different multifactorial prognostic systems: Glasgow-Imrie score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) score, and Multiorgan Dysfunction Score (MODS). The diagnostic performance of scores predicting ACS development, cut-off values and specificity and sensitivity were established using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The incidence of ACS in our study population was 19.35%. IAP at admission in the ACS group was 22.0 (18.5-25.0) mmHg and 9.25 (3.0-12.4) mmHg in the non-ACS group (P < 0.01). Univariate statistical analysis revealed that patients in the ACS group had significantly higher multifactorial clinical scores (APACHE II, Glasgow-Imrie and MODS) on admission and higher maximal scores during hospitalization (P < 0.01). ROC curve analysis revealed that APACHE II, Glasgow-Imrie, and MODS are valuable tools for early prediction of ACS with high sensitivity and specificity, and that cut-off values are similar to those used for stratification of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). IAH and ACS are rare findings in patients with mild AP. Based on the results of our study we recommend measuring the IAP in cases when patients present with SAP (APACHE II > 7; MODS > 2 or Glasgow-Imrie score > 3).

Review article: the abdominal compartment syndrome

The term abdominal compartment syndrome refers to hypoperfusion and ischaemia of intra-abdominal viscera and structures caused by raised intra-abdominal pressure. It occurs most commonly following major trauma and complex surgical procedures, but can also occur in their absence. Definitive treatment is decompression at laparotomy. Prevention and recognition of abdominal compartment syndrome are crucial to avoid additional morbidity and mortality. Postinjury abdominal compartment syndrome continues to complicate current resuscitation methods and new strategies for resuscitating critically ill patients need to be explored in addition to more accurate monitoring of intra-abdominal pressure. To examine the published literature regarding the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of the abdominal compartment syndrome. A comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken. This syndrome is an important complication of major trauma and surgery as well as being recognized in critically-ill medical patients. It requires prompt recognition with a view to decompression at laparotomy. The abdominal compartment syndrome is an important complication of trauma, surgery and resuscitation. Key to its management are its prompt recognition and abdominal decompression.

Component Separation to Salvage a Renal Allograft

Primary closure of the abdominal wall in children following renal transplantation may be challenging, especially if the transplanted kidney restricts the abdominal domain. Pressure on the graft can be further exacerbated by bowel edema leading to abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) and graft compromise (1). The subject of this report is an 11-year-old female patient whose past medical history was significant for a previous living-related renal transplant lost because of noncompliance and acute rejection, and several laparotomies for intestinal intussusception and adhesive intestinal obstruction. A kidney from a 16-year-old donor was accepted for her second transplant. The transplant was performed through a midline laparotomy. At exploration, a “frozen abdomen” was found. The first kidney graft was found in the right lower abdomen. A decision was made to sew the new graft to the left iliac vessels and urinary bladder. The transplant was straightforward and followed by a primary abdominal closure. Brisk diuresis continued for the first six hours but gradually decreased to a plateau of 10 mL/min. A Doppler ultrasound exam of the kidney found a decreased flow in the iliac vein while the arterial flow to the graft was normal. An urgent contrast venogram showed external compression of the iliac vein. An emergency exploration found that the kidney was edematous and cyanotic, but it rapidly improved as the abdominal domain was increased. A decision was made to avoid a prosthetic abdominal closure and perform a component separation instead. The external oblique muscles were exposed and transected bilaterally from the costal arch to the iliac crests (2), allowing a tension-free fascial closure. On-table venogram showed no further compression of the iliac vein. The urine output increased to 100 mL/hour within 24 hours; the serum creatinine reached a reference range in 48 hours. The patient was free of complaints six months after the procedure and had an intact abdominal closure and normal kidney function. Prolonged increase of the intra-abdominal venous pressure reduces the perfusion pressure and results in ACS, a vicious circle of reduced venous outflow, tissue ischemia, and edema (3), which impairs all systems including the renal system (4). ACS has infrequently been reported in renal transplant. Four previous studies describing seven patients (1996–2003) were quoted by a recently published report of 11 ACS patients (4). ACS typically presented with renal disfunction (4, 5), similar to our observation. Our recognition of ACS was based on clinical criteria such as urine output and observation of the graft perfusion. Ultrasound Doppler of the interlobar and segmental renal arteries showing absent or reversed diastolic blood flow (4, 5) was not observed in our patient. Treatment of ACS consists of intraperitonealization (3, 4) with or without fasciotomy (4), or prosthetic bridging (6–8) if the kidney is extraperitoneal. There is one previous report of a pediatric intra-abdominal renal transplant treated with decompressive fasciotomy (5) and another report describing a prosthetic fascial bridge, which prevented ACS (9). Our report is the third in the pediatric setting. We propose component separation as a definitive solution to obtain a tension-free abdominal closure. Julian E. Losanoff Department of Surgery Wayne State University and John D. Dingell VAMC Detroit, MI Trevor W. Reichman Marc R. Garfinkel Giuliano Testa J. Michael Millis Department of Surgery University of Chicago Chicago, IL

TEMPORARY ABDOMINAL CLOSURE

The increasing recognition of abdominal compartment syndrome’s adverse effect on patient outcome has been coupled with our expanding knowledge of techniques of temporary abdominal closure. Temporary abdominal closure can be used prophylactically to prevent abdominal compartment syndrome developing and more commonly in the treatment of patients with progressing or advanced abdominal compartment syndrome. The preferred technique involves a negative suction dressing protecting the fascial and skin edges, collecting intraperitoneal fluid and reducing contamination. Attempts of early closure will facilitate recovery.

Recent advances in the surgical management of necrotizing pancreatitis

To summarize advances and new concepts in the surgical management of necrotizing pancreatitis published within the past year with emphasis on the evolving importance of the recognition of abdominal compartment syndrome as a significant contributor to early development of organ failure. Underdiagnosed and untreated, abdominal compartment syndrome is a potential contributing factor to the development of early organ failure in patients with severe acute pancreatitis and warrants routine measurement of intra-abdominal pressure in patients treated for severe pancreatitis. The current estimate of the prevalence of intra-abdominal hypertension in severe acute pancreatitis is about 40%, with about 10% overall developing abdominal compartment syndrome, associated with increased hospital mortality rates. Early surgical decompression without exploring the pancreas further seems to be the most effective treatment. Primary fascial closure of the abdominal wall following abdominal decompression can be attempted, but in most cases the prolonged inflammatory process in the abdomen and the risk of recurrent abdominal compartment syndrome favors use of gradual closure or delayed reconstruction of the abdominal wall. Recent studies confirm the overall validity of the established surgical principles for necrotizing pancreatitis: delayed necrosectomy in patients with infected peripancreatic necrosis, mostly nonoperative management of sterile necrosis, and delayed cholecystectomy in severe gallstone-associated pancreatitis. The role of abdominal compartment syndrome as an important contributing factor to early development of multiple organ failure and the potential benefit of surgical decompression are gaining support from recent reports and should be carefully assessed in future studies.

Changing patterns in the management of penetrating abdominal trauma: the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Damage control surgery (DCS) and treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome have had major impacts on care of the severely injured. The objective of this study was to see whether advances in critical care, DCS, and recognition of abdominal compartment syndrome have improved survival from penetrating abdominal injury (PAI). The care of 250 consecutive patients requiring laparotomy for PAI (1997-2000) was reviewed retrospectively. Organ injury patterns, survival, and use of DCS and its impact on outcome were compared with a similar experience reported in 1988. Two hundred fifty patients had a positive laparotomy for PAI. Twenty-seven (10.8%) required abdominal packing and 45 (17.9%) did not have fascial closure. Seven (2.8%) required emergency department thoracotomy and 21 (8.4%) required operating room thoracotomy. Two hundred seventeen (86.8%) survived overall. Small bowel (47.2%), colon (36.4%), and liver (34.4%) were most often injured. Mortality was associated with the number of organs injured (odds ratio, 1.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.65-2.37; p < 0.001). Vascular injury was a risk factor for mortality (p < 0.001), as was need for DCS (p < 0.001), emergency department thoracotomy (p < 0.001), and operating room thoracotomy (p < 0.001). Seventy-nine percent of deaths occurred within 24 hours from refractory hemorrhagic shock. DCS was used in 17.9% (n = 45) versus 7.0% (n = 21) in 1988, with a higher survival rate (73.3% vs. 23.8%, p < 0.001). DCS was associated with significant morbidity including sepsis (42.4%, p < 0.001), intra-abdominal abscess (18.2%, p = 0.009), and gastrointestinal fistula (18.2%, p < 0.001). Penetrating abdominal organ injury patterns and survival from PAI have remained similar over the past decade. Death from refractory hemorrhagic shock in the first 24 hours remains the most common cause of mortality. DCS and the open abdomen are being used more frequently with improved survival but result in significant morbidity.

Damage control in trauma surgery

The technique or approach of damage control surgery in trauma is not new; packing liver injuries has been an accepted treatment strategy for some time. What is new is the realization that an abbreviated laparotomy, or completion of only the essential portions of the operation, is often the best treatment for the patient as a whole. Recent developments include strategies in the operating room and the intensive care unit to manage patients undergoing trauma laparatomy, including prevention of hypothermia, methods to accurately assess resuscitation status with right ventricular catheters and measurements of end-organ perfusion, and recognition of abdominal compartment syndrome, with emphasis on prevention.