Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is attributed to acute increase in the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), leading to adverse physiologic alterations because of involving the main organic systems and can lead to organic failure and obit. BACKGROUND: the purpose of this work is to evaluate the intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and ACS conduct in patients submitted to intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: in this retrospective work were analysed 548 patients submitted to laparotomy and ICU, during the period from 1997, january to 2001, march. RESULTS: ACS was noted in 29 patients (5.29%). Analysing the maximum IAP value, 9 (31.03%) were grade II, 10 (34.48%) were grade III and 10 were grade IV. Eighteen (62.07%) were submitted to reoperation and temporary closure was used in 6 (20.69%). The global mortality was 68.97%, the ACS grade II mortality was 55.56%, the ACS grade III was 50%, the ACS grade IV was 100%. The reoperad patients mortality was 61.11%. CONCLUSION: the ACS has a elevated mortality in spite of early reoperation and adequate management in ICU, and we need to identify this problem in a precocius way without delaying preventive actions.
Pressure; Abdomen; Hypertension; Compartment syndromes; Compartment syndromes
