Recurrent abdominal compartment syndrome: an inciting factor of the second hit phenomenon

Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) after damage control laparotomy (DCL) is not unusual and because of this, patients are treated with open-abdomen techniques to prevent abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). The occurrence of recurrent ACS (R-ACS) after abdominal wall closure under tension in patients managed with DCL can be a trigger factor for second hit syndrome. Outcomes in this subset have not been previously described. In this 1-year retrospective study of severely injured patients in a Level I trauma center managed with DCL and sequential abdominal wall closure, 26 patients were identified. After attempted abdominal wall closure, 13 (50%) patients had R-ACS and 13 (50%) non-R-ACS. R-ACS patients had a statistically significant higher incidence of multisystem organ failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and sepsis as well as requiring longer ventilator support and longer hospital length of stay. We concluded that failure to recognize and treat IAH with development of R-ACS after tension abdominal wall closure in patients with DCL will trigger the second hit syndrome with increased risk of morbidity. Institution of a management algorithm with intra-abdominal pressure/abdominal perfusion pressure surveillance at the time of abdominal wall closure can potentially ameliorate complications.