Conservative treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome after large ventral hernia repair

Surgical repair of large ventral hernias has become feasible after introduction of synthetic meshes and development in intensive-care treatment. In addition to operative challenges, the postoperative disorders incurred as the consequences of increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) still expose patients to severe risks.

A 44-year-old man was admitted in our institution for the large ventral hernia repair. Despite large ventral hernia with thickened subcutaneous tissue above hernia sac, a relatively small primary defect that was easy to repair was found on abdominal computed tomography. Intra-operatively, the primary defect was 10 cm in diameter with preserved abdominal front wall layers around it. The hernia sac was resected and ventral hernioplasty was performed with Prolene® mesh. IAP, measured intra-operatively and after extubation of the patient, was normal. On the second postoperative day, the patient was intubated due to respiratory failure in development of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). This condition was treated conservatively and he was extubated on the sixth postoperative day. The subsequent course was uneventful and the patient was discharged 14 days after the surgery with significant improvement in his mobility.

Relatively small abdominal wall defect of large ventral hernia made surgery less complicated than assumed on the first presentation. The most important determinants of the postoperative complications were the mismatch of the original abdominal cavity and the mass of tissue with loss of domain. Conservative treatment of IAH/ACS should be implemented as early as possible, which can lead to the resolution of ACS as presented in our case.