Awareness of intra-abdominal pressure and abdominal compartment syndrome

ABSTRACT

To assess current understanding and management of intra-abdominal hypertension [IAH] and abdominal compartment syndrome [ACS] among clinicians. A questionnaire study was carried out in 7 hospitals of 3 Governorates in Southern-Western part of Yemen. It included clinicians in most of the specialties with different experience categories. The 12-questions survey explored awareness, knowledge, and practice regarding intra-abdominal pressure [IAP], IAH, and ACS. The response rate was 91.7% - 254 of 277 respondents, of which 3.2% [9] were excluded due to improper filling, and the remaining 245 [88.5%] were enrolled in the study. Most of the participants were from general surgery [66 - 26.9%], obstetrics [63 -25.7%], and medicine [54 - 22%]. Unaware [140 - 57.1%] were more than aware respondents, whereas less respondents had knowledge about IAP, IAH and ACS. IAP had been measured only by 7 respondents [2.9%], most of whom were general surgeons - 85.7%, whereas decompression was performed only by 4 surgeons [57.1%]. A significant percentage of the clinicians are unaware of presence and current approaches to diagnosis and management of IAH and ACS. Education is necessary for diagnostic methods and standards for treatment of this unusual and lethal condition