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Common Problems in Acute Care Surgery pp 445–450Cite as

Abdominal Compartment Syndrome

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Abstract

Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is a life-threatening condition associated with organ dysfunction/failure due to increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). Based on consensus, ACS is defined as IAP > 20 mmHg and vital organ dysfunction related to it. Increased IAP without organ dysfunction is considered intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and graded (I: 12–15 mmHg, II: 16–20 mmHg, III: 21–25 mmHg, IV: >25 mmHg) [1, 2]. The physiological compromise from increased IAP was first described in the nineteenth century in the clinical setting, and then during the early twentieth century in the laboratory setting [3, 4]. The avoidance of increased IAP, and its resultant catastrophic respiratory and renal function consequences, was first advocated by pediatric surgeons using silos to close large omphaloceles [5]. The term ACS was coined by Fietsam et al. who described the syndrome as a complication of the management of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurisms [6]. Damage control surgery made it possible to salvage patients from previously irreversible traumatic shock and resuscitate them to reach the intensive care unit (ICU) in critical condition [7, 8]. Among these severe shock/trauma patients, ACS was a frequent cause of death, unplanned returns to the operating room, and prolonged ICU stays [9, 10]. Based on the trauma experience, acute care surgeons have applied the principles of prevention, recognition, and management to acute general surgical patients. In the same time, most surgical and nonsurgical specialties have reported on ACS from their experience.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Surgery, Department of Traumatology, John Hunter Hospital and University of Newcastle, Lookout Road, Newcastle, NSW, 2305, Australia

    Zsolt J. Balogh M.D., Ph.D., F.R.A.C.S., FAOrthA, F.A.C.S. & Osamu Yoshino M.D., Ph.D

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  1. Zsolt J. Balogh M.D., Ph.D., F.R.A.C.S., FAOrthA, F.A.C.S.
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  2. Osamu Yoshino M.D., Ph.D
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zsolt J. Balogh M.D., Ph.D., F.R.A.C.S., FAOrthA, F.A.C.S. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Science Center, Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Health, 6431 Fannin Street, MSB 4.292, Houston, 77030, Texas, USA

    Laura J. Moore

  2. The Methodist Hospital, Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, 6550 Fannin St, SM 1661A, Houston, 77030, Texas, USA

    Krista L. Turner

  3. School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, New York University, 550 First Avenue, New Bellevue 15 East 9, New York, 10016, New York, USA

    S. Rob Todd

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Balogh, Z.J., Yoshino, O. (2013). Abdominal Compartment Syndrome. In: Moore, L., Turner, K., Todd, S. (eds) Common Problems in Acute Care Surgery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6123-4_36

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6123-4_36

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