Surgical decompression for the management of abdominal compartment syndrome with severe acute pancreatitis: A narrative review.

Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and contribute to new-onset and persistent organ failure. The optimal management of ACS involves a multi-disciplinary approach, from its early recognition to measures aiming at an urgent reduction of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). A targeted literature search from January 1, 2000, to November 30, 2022, revealed 20 studies and data was analyzed on the type and country of the study, patient demographics, IAP, type and timing of surgical procedure performed, post-operative wound management, and outcomes of patients with ACS. There was no randomized controlled trial published on the topic. Decompressive laparotomy is effective in rapidly reducing IAP (standardized mean difference = 2.68, 95% confidence interval: 1.19-1.47, P < 0.001; 4 studies). The morbidity and complications of an open abdomen after decompressive laparotomy should be weighed against the inadequately treated but, potentially lethal ACS. Disease-specific patient selection and the role of less-invasive decompressive measures, like subcutaneous linea alba fasciotomy or component separation techniques, is lacking in the 2013 consensus management guidelines by the Abdominal Compartment Society on IAH and ACS. This narrative review focuses on the current evidence regarding surgical decompression techniques for managing ACS in patients with SAP. However, there is a lack of high-quality evidence on patient selection, timing, and modality of surgical decompression. Large prospective trials are needed to identify triggers and effective and safe surgical decompression methods in SAP patients with ACS.

Abdominal Compartment Syndrome-When Is Surgical Decompression Needed?

Compartment syndrome occurs when increased pressure inside a closed anatomical space compromises tissue perfusion. The sudden increase in pressure inside these spaces requires rapid decompression by means of surgical intervention. In the case of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS), surgical decompression consists of a laparostomy. The aim of this review is to identify the landmarks and indications for the appropriate moment to perform decompression laparotomy in patients with ACS based on available published data. A targeted literature review was conducted on indications for decompression laparotomy in ACS. The search was focused on three conditions characterized by a high ACS prevalence, namely acute pancreatitis, ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and severe burns. There is still a debate around the clinical characteristics which require surgical intervention in ACS. According to the limited data published from observational studies, laparotomy is usually performed when intra-abdominal pressure reaches values ranging from 25 to 36 mmHg on average in the case of acute pancreatitis. In cases of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, there is a higher urgency to perform decompression laparotomy for ACS due to the possibility of continuous hemorrhage. The most conflicting recommendations on whether surgical treatment should be delayed in favor of other non-surgical interventions come from studies involving patients with severe burns. The results of the review must be interpreted in the context of the limited available robust data from observational studies and clinical trials.

Mensuração da pressão intra-abdominal nas unidades de tratamento intensivo: a opinião dos médicos intensivistas / Measurement of intra-abdominal pressure in the intensive care unit: the opinion of the critical care physicians

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Os efeitos adversos da hipertensão intra-abdominal (PIA) são conhecidos há muitos anos, mas apenas recentemente deu-se importância à sua monitorização. Há evidências que cerca de um quarto dos centros de tratamento intensivo (CTI) não medem a PIA por falta de conhecimento da sua importância ou dificuldade na interpretação dos resultados. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o conhecimento dos médicos sobre a síndrome de compartimento abdominal (SCA) e as características do seu manuseio. MÉTODO: Para a realização deste estudo foi enviado um questionário, contendo 12 perguntas sobre o assunto, para médicos que trabalham em CTI. RESULTADOS: O conhecimento das definições internacionais de SCA não parece estar influenciado pelo tempo de exercício da Medicina, mas sim pelo tempo de atividade dedicada à Medicina Intensiva. Embora a maioria esteja ciente da existência da SCA, menos da metade dos médicos que responderam ao questionário conhece as definições internacionais de 2004. A medida da PIA é realizada em pacientes com predisposição para SCA, por via intravesical, com injeção de 25 a 100 mL de líquido, com intervalos de 4 a 8 horas. Não parece existir valor de PIA (associado ou não a disfunções orgânicas) de consenso entre médicos desta pesquisa em relação ao tratamento clínico ou cirúrgico. CONCLUSÕES: O conhecimento sobre SCA é satisfatório quando considerados apenas os médicos que atuam majoritariamente em Medicina Intensiva. Contudo, é necessária a educação acerca da presença e gravidade da hipertensão intra-abdominal para grande parte dos médicos atuantes na Medicina Intensiva na região metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The adverse effects of intra-abdominal hypertension are known for many years. Only recently proper attention has been given to routine intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) monitoring. There is evidence that a quarter of intensive care units (ICU) do not measure IAP, due to a lack of knowledge of its importance or difficulty in results interpretation. The aim of this study is investigate the knowledge of ICU physicians about abdominal compartimental syndrome and its management. METHODS: A questionnaire with 12 questions about this issue was mailed to ICU physicians. RESULTS: The current knowledge of the international definitions of ACS does not seem to be linked to the number of years of medical practice, but was associated with the time spent working on intensive care. Although most physicians are aware of the existence of ACS, less than half know the present international definitions. The IAP monitoring is performed in patients at risk for ACS, by means of the intravesical filling with 25 to 100 mL of liquids, in intervals varying from of 4 to 8 hours. There was no consensus on the value of IAP values (with or without organ dysfunctions) for the clinical or surgical treatments of ACS in this survey. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of ACS is satisfactory when we consider only physicians that devote most of their time to ICU work. However, it is necessary to improve education and knowledge of most intensive care physicians regarding the presence and severity of intra-abdominal hypertension in Rio de Janeiro.