The influence of fluid balance on intra-abdominal pressure after major abdominal surgery

Objective. The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of intraabdominal hypertension in patients after major abdominal surgery and to evaluate the correlation of intra-abdominal pressure with fluid balance and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Material and methods. This is a prospective observational study. Patients, admitted to intensive care unit after major abdominal surgery, were included into the study. Intra-abdominal pressure was measured via a urinary bladder catheter twice daily. Twenty-four-hour fluid balance and systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria met by the patients were collected daily. Results. Seventy-seven patients were included into the study. Intra-abdominal hypertension was diagnosed in about 40% of the patients in the early postoperative period. The study showed a significant positive correlation between 24-hour fluid balance and daily changes in intraabdominal pressure. A significant association was also seen between the number of positive systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria and intra-abdominal pressure, and intraabdominal pressure was significantly higher in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Besides, patients with intra-abdominal hypertension on the first postoperative day had longer length of stay in the intensive care unit. Conclusions. Intra-abdominal hypertension occurs commonly in patients after major abdominal surgery, and patients with positive 24-hour fluid balance and/or systemic inflammatory response syndrome are at risk of having higher intra-abdominal hypertensi