Acta Clin Belg
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Epidural analgesia decreases intraabdominal pressure in postoperative patients with primary intra-abdominal hypertension.
Surgical decompression is a lifesaving procedure in patients with severe intraabdominal hypertension. However, it involves subsequent management of an open abdomen. Therefore, it is not recommended for moderate intra-abdominal hypertension. Our literature search did not show any studies relating the efficacy of epidural analgesia in decreasing elevated intraabdominal pressure (IAP) in critically-ill surgical patients with primary intra-abdominal hypertension. ⋯ Continuous thoracic epidural analgesia decreases IAP and improves APP without haemodynamic compromise in postoperative critically-ill patients with primary intra-abdominal hypertension.