Intra-abdominal hypertension and the abdominal compartment syndrome.

IAH causes multiple and profound physiologic abnormalities both within and outside the abdomen. IAP monitoring is easily performed by bladder measurements. Careful monitoring and prompt recognition and treatment of IAP are critical in patients after damage control surgery because IAH is extremely common in these patients. Use of mesh fascial prostheses at the initial celiotomy in high-risk patients may prevent the deleterious effects of IAH. IAH should be considered an earlier manifestation of ACS. Surgical intervention should be indicated by IAH and not delayed until ACS is clinically apparent.