The abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in general surgery

Mortality due to the abdominal compartment syndrome is extremely high (38-71%). It may be defined as adverse physiologic consequences that occur as a result of an acute increase in the intraabdominal pressure. The most common causes of abdominal compartment syndrome are retroperitoneal haemorrhage, visceral oedema, pancreatitis, bowel distension, venous mesenterial obstruction, tense ascites, peritonitis, tumor. The mostly affected organ systems include cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, central nervous and splanchnic. The diagnosis depends on the recognition of the clinical syndrome followed by an objective measurement of intraabdominal pressure, preferably that of the urinary bladder. The treatment consist of adequate fluid resuscitation and surgical decompression when necessary.