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Decompressive Laparotomy

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Abstract

Bedside decompressive laparotomy in the intensive care unit can be performed for patients deemed too unstable for transfer to the operating room. However, significant planning, logistics, and infrastructure are required in order to deliver this care in a safe and reliable fashion.

In this chapter, we will review the indications and relevant patient selection criteria. Additionally, the logistics, planning, and acquisition of durable equipment and supplies required to transition an ICU room to an operative suite will be reviewed. Finally, specific personnel training and familiarity is essential as formal operating room staff are often not involved in bedside surgery in the ICU.

There are also hemodynamic changes relevant to patient management while undergoing a decompressive laparotomy that must be managed from the medical/critical care standpoint that are separate from the surgical procedure. This physiology will also be reviewed in this chapter.

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Correspondence to Niels D. Martin MD, FACS .

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Pisa, M., Saucier, J., Martin, N.D. (2016). Decompressive Laparotomy. In: Taylor, D., Sherry, S., Sing, R. (eds) Interventional Critical Care. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25286-5_35

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25286-5_35

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-25284-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-25286-5

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