ABSTRACT
Patients with large burns (50% or greater or with associated inhalation injury) are at risk of developing intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH). Patients with burns that are very large, greater than 70% TBSA, are at risk of developing abdominal compartment syn drome (ACS), particularly if they have a concurrent inhalation injury. The development of IAH and ACS is related to the volume of crystalloid fluid infused during the burn resuscitation and does not require abdominal injury or operation or even the presence of abdominal wall burn eschar. Burn patients are also at risk for developing IAH and ACS during subsequent septic episodes.
