ABSTRACT
Because the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (ACS) is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, the development of strategies to detect and moderate intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) before ACS is fully developed is warranted. Mod ern surgeons have considered and studied the probability that the warning signs of impending ACS can be identified and that a single surgical decision or intervention at a crucial time will be preventative. The contributing factors that lead to the development of ACS are now, after decades of IAH research, well-described. This chapter seeks to codify the contributing factors, warning signs, and prevention strategies that have been described across a wide variety of disci plines including trauma surgery, emergency surgery, vascular surgery, burn surgery as well as surgical and medical critical care. Prevention strategies discussed will include the surveillance of intra-abdominal pressure, the limitation of unnecessary fluid resuscitation, the use of pro phylactic temporary abdominal closure, and pharmacological neuromuscular blockade.
