• P J Offner, A L de Souza, E E Moore, W L Biffl, R J Franciose, J L Johnson, and J M Burch.
• Surgical Critical Care, Denver Health Medical Center, Department of Surgery, MC 0206, 777 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80204, USA. poffner@dhha.org
• Arch Surg Chicago. 2001 Jun 1;136(6):676-81.

HypothesisAbdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is a morbid complication of damage-control laparotomy. Moreover, the technique of abdominal closure influences the frequency of ACS.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingUrban level I trauma center.PatientsWe studied 52 patients with trauma who required damage-control laparotomy during the 5 years ending December 31, 1999, and who survived longer than 48 hours.Main Outcome MeasuresAbdominal compartment syndrome, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and multiple organ failure (MOF).ResultsMean (+/- SD) age was 33 +/- 2 years; 38 (73%) were male. Mechanism of injury was blunt in 29 patients (56%), and mean (+/- SD) Injury Severity Score was 28 +/- 2. Development of ARDS and/or MOF was seen in 23 patients (44%); ARDS and MOF increased mortality from 12% (3/26) to 42% (11/26). Abdominal compartment syndrome was a common complication (17/52), and was associated with an increase in ARDS and/or MOF (12 patients [71%] vs 11 patients [31%] without ACS; P =.02, chi(2) test) and death (6 [35%] vs 8 patients [23%] without ACS). Primary fascial closure (n = 10) at the initial laparotomy was associated with ACS in 8 (80%) (P =.001, chi(2) test) and ARDS and/or MOF in 9 (90%) (P =.01, chi(2) test); skin closure (n = 25), with ACS in 6 (24%) and ARDS/MOF in 9 (36%); and Bogotá bag closure (n = 17), with ACS in 3 (18%) and ARDS/MOF in 8 (47%).ConclusionsDamage-control laparotomy is associated with frequent complications. In particular, ACS is a serious complication that increases ARDS and/or MOF and mortality. Avoiding primary fascial closure at the initial laparotomy can minimize the risk for ACS.

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