Abstract
Compartment syndrome is a pathophysiological term, comprising a variety of tissues and organ alterations, due to a higher than normal pressure in an anatomically detached space (compartment). In the human body, areas denoted as compartments include the orbital globe, the sub and epidural space, the abdomen, pleura, pericardium, and others. Compartment syndrome was described initially in limbs. Abdominal compartment syndrome is defined as an intra-abdominal pressure above 20 mmHg with evidence of organ failure. Abdominal compartment syndrome develops when the intra-abdominal pressure rapidly reaches certain pathological values, within several hours (intra-abdominal hypertension is observed), and lasts for 6 or more hours. The key to recognizing abdominal compartment syndrome is the demonstration of elevated intra-abdominal pressure which is performed most often via the urinary bladder, and it is considered to be the “gold standard.” Multiorgan failure includes damage to the cardiac, pulmonary, renal, neurological, gastrointestinal, abdominal wall, and ophthalmic systems. The gut is the most sensitive to intra-abdominal hypertension, and it develops evidence of end-organ damage before alterations are observed in other systems. The surgical decompression of the abdomen remains the treatment of choice of abdominal compartment syndrome; this usually improves the organ changes, and is followed by one of the temporary abdominal closure techniques in order to prevent secondary intra-abdominal hypertension.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
ML Malbrain ML Cheatman A Kirkpatrick M Surgue M Parr J De Waele et al. (2006) ArticleTitleResults from the International Conference of Experts on Intra-Abdominal Hypertension and Abdominal Compartment Syndrome Intensive Care Med 32 IssueID11 1722–32 Occurrence Handle16967294 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00134-006-0349-5
BH Saggi HJ Sugerman RR Ivatury GL Bloomfield (1998) ArticleTitleAbdominal compartment syndrome J Trauma 45 IssueID3 597–609 Occurrence Handle9751558 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1cvit1Wkug%3D%3D
LN Diebel SA Dulchavsky RF Wilson (1992) ArticleTitleEffects of increased intra-abdominal pressure on mesenteric arterial and intestinal mucosal blood flow J Trauma 33 IssueID1 45–9 Occurrence Handle1635105 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK38zktFCjtQ%3D%3D
LN Diebel T Myers SA Dulchavsky (1997) ArticleTitleEffects of increased airway pressure and PEEP on the assessment of cardiac preload J Trauma 42 585–90 Occurrence Handle9137243 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK2s3otlWjuw%3D%3D
RR Ivatury LN Diebel JM Porter RJ Simon (1997) ArticleTitleIntra-abdominal hypertension and the abdominal compartment syndrome Surg Clin North Am 77 783–800 Occurrence Handle9291981 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0039-6109(05)70584-3 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK2svjslCnug%3D%3D
JM Burch EE Moore FA Moore R Franciose (1996) ArticleTitleThe abdominal compartment syndrome Surg Clin North Am 76 833–42 Occurrence Handle8782476 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0039-6109(05)70483-7 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK28zns1eluw%3D%3D
IL Kron PK Harman SP Nolan (1984) ArticleTitleThe measurement of intra-abdominal pressure as a criterion for abdominal re-exploration Ann Surg 199 28–30 Occurrence Handle6691728 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaL2c7gtlensA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10.1097/00000658-198401000-00005
M Surgue F Jones A Lee MD Buist SA Deane A Bauman et al. (1996) ArticleTitleIntra-abdominal pressure and gastric intramucosal pH: is there an association? World J Surg 20 988–91 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s002689900149
RR Ivatury RJ Simon S Islam R John WM Stahl (1997) ArticleTitleIntraabdominal hypertension, gastric mucosal pH and the abdominal compartment syndrome J Trauma 43 194
B Mohaparta (2004) ArticleTitleAbdominal compartment syndrome Indian J Crit Care Med 8 IssueID1 26–32
MLNG Malbrain Y Debareye S Bertieaux (2000) ArticleTitleEffects of abdominal compression and decompression on cardiorespiratory function and regional perfusion Intensive Care Med 26 264
AF Moore R Hargest RJ Delicata (2004) ArticleTitleIntra-abdominal hypertension and the abdominal compartment syndrome Br J Surg 91 IssueID9 1102–10 Occurrence Handle15449260 Occurrence Handle10.1002/bjs.4703 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD2cvnvFSmug%3D%3D
Ch Tons A Schachtrupp M Rau V Schumpelick Th Mumme (2000) ArticleTitleAbdominal compartment syndrome: prevention and treatment Chirurg 71 IssueID8 918–26 Occurrence Handle11013811 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s001040051156 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3cvmt1Orsw%3D%3D
MLNG Malbrain D Chiumello P Pelosi A Wilmer N Brienza V Malcangi et al. (2004) ArticleTitlePrevalence of intra-abdominal hypertension in critically ill patients: a multicentre epidemiological study Intensive Care Med 30 822–9 Occurrence Handle14758472 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00134-004-2169-9
M Schein DH Wittmann CC Aprahamian RE Condon (1995) ArticleTitleThe abdominal compartment syndrome: the physiological and clinical consequences of elevated intra-abdominal pressure J Am Coll Surg 180 745–53 Occurrence Handle7773495 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK2M3ptFGmsw%3D%3D
M Surgue (2005) ArticleTitleAbdominal compartment syndrome Curr Opin Crit Care 11 IssueID4 333–8 Occurrence Handle10.1097/01.ccx.0000170505.53657.48
TGR De Potter H Dits MNLG Malbrain (2005) ArticleTitleIntra and interobserver variability during in vitro validation of two novel methods for intra-abdominal pressure monitoring Intensive Care Med 31 747–51 Occurrence Handle15809871 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00134-005-2597-1
T Yukioka A Muraoka N Kanai (2002) ArticleTitleAbdominal compartment syndrome following damage-pathophysiology and decompression of intraabdominal pressure Nippon Geka Gakkai Zasshi 103 IssueID7 529–35 Occurrence Handle12143292
A Schachtrupp D Henzler S Orfao W Schaefer R Schwab P Becker et al. (2006) ArticleTitleEvaluation of a modified pieziresistive technique and a water-capsule technique for direct and continuous measurement of intra-abdominal pressure in a porcine model Crit Care Med 34 IssueID3 916–8 Occurrence Handle10.1097/01.CCM.0000198526.04530.36
DH Wittmann GA Iskander (2000) ArticleTitleThe compartment syndrome of the abdominal cavity: a state of the art review J Intensive Care Med 15 201–20 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1525-1489.2000.00201.x
MLNG Malbrain DH Deeren (2006) ArticleTitleEffect of bladder volume on measured intravesical pressure: a prospective cohort study Crit Care 10 IssueID4 98 Occurrence Handle10.1186/cc4962
R Reis P Labas M Vician M Ziak (2003) ArticleTitleThe abdominal compartment syndrome Bratisl Lek Listy 104 IssueID1 32–5 Occurrence Handle12830994 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3szgt1yktQ%3D%3D
R Rozov T Pottecher A Launoy (2004) ArticleTitleIntra-abdominal pressure measurement using a bladder catheter Ann Fr Anesth Reanim 23 IssueID4 433–4 Occurrence Handle15120793 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.annfar.2003.12.010 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD2czivVajsQ%3D%3D
J McNelis S Soffer CP Marini A Jurkiewicz G Ritter HH Simms et al. (2002) ArticleTitleAbdominal compartment syndrome in the surgical intensive care unit Am Surg 68 IssueID1 18–23 Occurrence Handle12467311
DH Deeren H Dits MLNG Malbrain (2005) ArticleTitleCorrelation between intra-abdominal and intracranial pressure in nontraumatic brain injury Intensive Care Med 31 1577–81 Occurrence Handle16193329 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00134-005-2802-2
MLNG Malbrain (2004) ArticleTitleIs it wise not to think about intraabdominal hypertension in the ICU? Curr Opin Care 10 132–45 Occurrence Handle10.1097/00075198-200404000-00010
Z Balogh F Jones S D'Amours M Parr M Surgue (2004) ArticleTitleContinuous intra-abdominal pressure measurement technique Am J Surg 188 IssueID6 679–84 Occurrence Handle15619483 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.amjsurg.2004.08.052
MLNG Malbrain (2004) ArticleTitleDifferent techniques to measure intra-abdominal pressure (IAP): time for a critical re-appraisal Intensive Care Med 30 IssueID3 357–71 Occurrence Handle14730376 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00134-003-2107-2
PJ Pickhardt JS Shimony JP Heiken TG Buchman AJ Fisher (1999) ArticleTitleThe abdominal compartment syndrome: CT findings Am J Roentgenol 173 575–9 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1MzpslCrsQ%3D%3D
M Surgue (1995) ArticleTitleIntra-abdominal pressure Clin Intensive Care 6 76–9 Occurrence Handle10.1080/714028872
M Surgue KM Hilman (1998) Intraabdominal hypertension and intensive care JL Vinsent (Eds) Yearbook of intensive care and emergency medicine Springer Berlin Heidelberg New York 667–76
MLNG Malbrain (2000) ArticleTitleAbdominal pressure in the critically ill Curr Opin Crit Care 6 17–29 Occurrence Handle10.1097/00075198-200002000-00003
M Surgue F Jones SA Deane G Bishop A Bauman K Hillman (1999) ArticleTitleIntra-abdominal hypertension is an independent cause of postoperative renal impairment Arch Surg 134 IssueID10 1082–5 Occurrence Handle10.1001/archsurg.134.10.1082
T Jacques R Le (1988) ArticleTitleImprovement of renal function after relief of raised intra-abdominal pressure due to traumatic retroperitoneal haematoma Anaesth Intens Care 16 478–82 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaL1M7msVOltw%3D%3D
P Lindstrom J Wadstrom A Ollestram C Johnson AE Persson (2003) ArticleTitleEffects of increased intra-abdominal pressure and volume expansion on renal function in the rat Nephrol Dial Transplant 18 IssueID11 2269–77 Occurrence Handle14551353 Occurrence Handle10.1093/ndt/gfg362
JD Hunter Z Damani (2004) ArticleTitleIntra-abdominal hypertension and the abdominal compartment syndrome Anaesthesia 59 899–907 Occurrence Handle15310355 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1365-2044.2004.03712.x Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD2cvgsF2qsw%3D%3D
Malbrain MLNG. Intra-abdominal pressure in the intensive care unit: clinical tool or a toy? In: Yearbook of intensive care and emergency medicine. Berlin Heidelberg New York: Springer; 2001. p. 547–85
L Diebel J Saxe S Dulchavsky (1992) ArticleTitleEffect of intra-abdominal pressure on abdominal wall blood flow Am Surg 58 IssueID9 573–6 Occurrence Handle1388005 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK38zpvVWqtw%3D%3D
AB Nathens FD Brenneman BR Boulanger (1997) ArticleTitleThe abdominal compartment syndrome Can J Surg 4 254
M Fischbach J Terzic E Provot L Weiss V Bergere S Menouer et al. (2003) ArticleTitleIntraperitoneal pressure in children: fill-volume related and impacted by body mass index Perit Dial Int 23 391–4 Occurrence Handle12968848
DK Joseph RP Dutton B Aarabi TM Scalea (2004) ArticleTitleDecompressive laparotomy to treat intracranial hypertension after traumatic brain injury J Trauma 57 IssueID4 687–93 Occurrence Handle15514520
PJ Andrews G Citerio (2004) ArticleTitleIntracranial pressure. I. Historical overview and basic concepts Intensive Care Med 30 1730–3 Occurrence Handle15243684 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00134-004-2376-4
JJ De Waele D Benoit E Hoste F Colardyn (2003) ArticleTitleA role for muscle relaxation in patients with abdominal compartment syndrome? Intensive Care Med 29 332 Occurrence Handle12675044
Malbrain MLNG. Abdominal perfusion pressure as a prognostic marker in intra-abdominal hypertension. In: Yearbook of intensive care and emergency medicine. Berlin Heidelberg New York: Springer; 2001. p. 547–85
TA Gennerelli HR Champion WS Copes WJ Sacco (1994) ArticleTitleComparison of mortality, morbidity, and severity in 59 713 head injured patients with 114 447 patients with extracranial injuries J Trauma 37 962–8 Occurrence Handle10.1097/00005373-199412000-00016
IA Priluck DW Blodgett (1996) ArticleTitleThe effects of increased intra-abdominal pressure on the eyes Nebr Med J 81 IssueID1 8–9 Occurrence Handle8584069 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK287ms1CgtA%3D%3D
Z Balogh BA McKinley JB Holcomb CC Miller CS Cocanour RA Kozar et al. (2003) ArticleTitleBoth primary and secondary abdominal compartment syndrome can be predicted early and are harbingers of multiple organ failure J Trauma 54 IssueID5 848–59 Occurrence Handle12777898 Occurrence Handle10.1097/01.TA.0000070166.29649.F3
Z Balogh FA Moore (2003) ArticleTitlePost-injury abdominal compartment syndrome: summary of the recent advancements Trauma Grapevine 3 IssueID8 49–56
Z Balogh BA McKinley CS Cocanour RA Kozar JB Holcomb DN Ware et al. (2002) ArticleTitleSecondary abdominal compartment syndrome is an elusive early complication of traumatic shock resuscitation Am J Surg 184 IssueID6 538–43 Occurrence Handle12488160 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0002-9610(02)01050-4
J Oda K Yamashita T Inoue N Harunari Y Ode K Mega et al. (2006) ArticleTitleResuscitation fluid volume and abdominal compartment syndrome in patients with major burns Burns 32 IssueID2 151–4 Occurrence Handle16451820 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.burns.2005.08.011
KM Sieh KM Chu J Wong (2001) ArticleTitleIntra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome Langenbecks Arch Surg 386 IssueID1 53–61 Occurrence Handle11405090 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s004230000185 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD38%2Fht1agtQ%3D%3D
N Shiiya K Matsuzaki T Miyatake K Yoshimoto K Yasuda (2005) ArticleTitleAbdominal compartment syndrome causing respiratory failure during surgery for ruptured descending thoracic aneurism: report of a case Surg Today 35 IssueID4 320–2 Occurrence Handle15815851 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00595-004-2923-1
Z Balogh BA McKinley CS Cocanour RA Kozar A Valdivia RM Sailors (2003) ArticleTitleSupranormal trauma resuscitation causes more cases of abdominal compartment syndrome Arch Surg 138 IssueID6 637–42 Occurrence Handle12799335 Occurrence Handle10.1001/archsurg.138.6.637
JC Mayberry RK Goldman RJ Millins DM Brand RA Crass DD Trunkey (1999) ArticleTitleSurveyed opinion of American trauma surgeons on prevention of the abdominal compartment syndrome J Trauma 47 IssueID3 509–13 Occurrence Handle10498305 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1Mvis1Kiuw%3D%3D
M Schein R Ivatury (1998) ArticleTitleIntra-abdominal hypertension and the abdominal compartment syndrome Br J Surg 85 1927–28
JA Montalvo JA Acosta P Rodriguez K Alejandro A Sarraga (2005) ArticleTitleSurgical complications and causes of death in trauma patients that require temporary abdominal closure Am Surg 71 IssueID3 219–24 Occurrence Handle15869136
A Schachtrupp J Hoer C Tons U Klinge U Reckord V Schumpelick (2002) ArticleTitleIntra-abdominal pressure: a reliable criterion for laparostomy closure? Hernia 6 IssueID3 102–7 Occurrence Handle12209297 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s10029-002-0053-5 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD38vltlGiug%3D%3D
ML Cheatham K Safecsak LE Llerena CE Morrow SuffixJr EF Block (2004) ArticleTitleLong-term physical, mental, and functional consequences of abdominal decompression J Trauma 56 IssueID2 237–41 Occurrence Handle14960962
TB Saleem I Ahmed (2004) ArticleTitleRecent advances in the management of abdominal compartment syndrome J Coll Phys Surg Pak 14 IssueID6 381–5
M Surgue (2002) ArticleTitleIntra-abdominal pressure: time for clinical practice guidelines? Intensive Care Med 28 389–91 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00134-002-1253-2
DR Meldrum FA Moore EE Moore R Fransoise A Sauaia JM Burch (1997) ArticleTitleProspective characterization and selective management of the abdominal compartment syndrome Am J Surg 174 667–72 Occurrence Handle9409594 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0002-9610(97)00201-8 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1c%2Fnt1amsA%3D%3D
J Bailey MJ Shapiro (2000) ArticleTitleAbdominal compartment syndrome Crit Care 4 23–9 Occurrence Handle11094493 Occurrence Handle10.1186/cc646 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M7isFKnug%3D%3D
MC Swan PE Banwell (2005) ArticleTitleThe open abdomen: aetiology, classification and current management strategies J Wound Care 14 IssueID1 7–11 Occurrence Handle15656456 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD2M%2FivFOhtw%3D%3D
JJ De Waele EA Hoste MLNG Malbrain (2006) ArticleTitleDecompressive laparotomy for abdominal compartment syndrome-a critical analysis Crit Care 10 IssueID2 51 Occurrence Handle10.1186/cc4870
A Schachtrupp M Jansen P Bertram R Kuhlen V Schumpelick (2006) ArticleTitleAbdominal compartment syndrome: significance, diagnosis and treatment Anaesthesist 55 IssueID6 660–7 Occurrence Handle16775730 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00101-006-1019-2 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD28nhtFejsQ%3D%3D
RR Ivatury (2006) ArticleTitleAbdominal compartment syndrome: a century later, isn't it time to accept and promulgate? Crit Care Med 34 IssueID9 2494–5 Occurrence Handle16921323 Occurrence Handle10.1097/01.CCM.0000235680.83667.EE
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Deenichin, G. Abdominal Compartment Syndrome. Surg Today 38, 5–19 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-007-3573-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-007-3573-x