Prevention of compartment syndrome after abdominal surgeries

The article presents the basic concepts and definitions of compartment syndrome, some mechanisms of its development, methods of treatment and prevention. Abdominal compartment syndrome is diagnosed in 20% of patients with therapeutic and 30% of patients with surgical pathology. Mortality in its development amid the treatment reaches 42-68%, and without treatment - 100%. The high risk of abdominal compartment syndrome development is characteristic for patients with generalized peritonitis. The trigger mechanism of syndrome development becomes increased intra-abdominal pressure, which leads to the multiple organ failure development. Currently, there are different approaches to the abdominal compartment syndrome prevention. There is no doubt that it is better to prevent this syndrome than cure, as well as any other pathological condition. It is necessary to bear in mind the probability of its formation and routinely measure intra-abdominal pressure in high-risk patients. Treatment tactics choice and timely detection of intra-abdominal hypertension are crucial in prevention of the abdominal compartment syndrome development in patients with abdominal surgical pathology. In general, it is recommended to perform preventive measures in respect of abdominal compartment syndrome in two directions. As the first one, the decision on the type of wound suturing is considered. Tissue perfusion optimization is considered as another preventive direction. Currently, there is no single approach in the abdominal compartment syndrome prevention in patients with generalized peritonitis, and further studies in this area are highly relevant. Since this pathology leads to impairment of almost all vital body functions and is associated with extremely high mortality, its early diagnosis by the intra-abdominal pressure monitoring, which allows to perform timely actions that prevent an adverse outcome, is of particular importance.