Surgical decompression for abdominal compartment syndrome in severe acute pancreatitis

In patients with severe acute pancreatitis and abdominal compartment syndrome, establishment of the indications and optimal time for surgical decompression may avoid exacerbation of multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome.

Retrospective study.

Tertiary care university teaching hospital.

Twenty-six consecutive patients with severe acute pancreatitis and abdominal compartment syndrome treated by surgical decompression between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2007.

Surgical decompression of the abdomen.

Morbidity, mortality, and organ dysfunction before and after surgical decompression.

At the time of surgical decompression, the median sequential organ failure assessment score among patients was 12 (interquartile range, 10-15), and the median intra-abdominal pressure was 31.5 (interquartile range, 27-35) mm Hg. After surgical decompression, renal or respiratory function was improved in 14 patients (54%). The overall hospital mortality was 46%, but mortality was 18% among 17 patients in whom surgical decompression was performed within the first 4 days after disease onset.

Patients with severe acute pancreatitis and abdominal compartment syndrome managed by surgical decompression had severe multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome and high mortality. Surgical decompression may improve renal or respiratory function. Early surgical decompression is associated with reduced mortality in patients with severe acute pancreatitis, early multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome, and abdominal compartment syndrome.