Percutaneous catheter decompression in the treatment of elevated intraabdominal pressure

Intraabdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) traditionally have been treated surgically through emergent laparotomy. Intensivist-performed bedside drainage of free intraperitoneal fluid or blood (percutaneous catheter decompression [PCD]) has been advocated as a less-invasive alternative to open abdominal decompression (OAD).

A single-center disease and severity of illness-matched case-control comparison of 62 patients with IAH/ACS treated with PCD vs traditional OAD was performed. The relative efficacy of each treatment in reducing elevated intraabdominal pressure (IAP) and improving organ dysfunction was assessed. Physiologic and demographic predictors of successful PCD therapy were determined.

PCD and OAD both were effective in significantly decreasing IAP and peak inspiratory pressure as well as in increasing abdominal perfusion pressure. PCD potentially avoided the need for subsequent OAD in 25 of 31 patients (81%) treated. Successful PCD therapy was associated with fluid drainage of > 1,000 mL or a decrease in IAP of > 9 mm Hg in the first 4 h postdecompression.

Intensivist-performed PCD is an effective and less-invasive technique for treating patients with IAH/ACS where free intraperitoneal fluid or blood is present as determined by bedside ultrasonography. Failure to drain at least 1,000 mL of fluid and decrease IAP by at least 9 mm Hg in the first 4 h postdecompression is associated with PCD failure and should prompt urgent OAD.