The role of a specialized urethral catheter in early detection of intra-abdominal hypertension: a case report.

Abstract

Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) impact morbidity and mortality in burn patients, exacerbated by extensive fluid resuscitation required for more than 20% of total body surface area burns. We report a case of a 28-year-old male with severe burns and a TBSA of 49% who presented after a fire incident. The trauma team managed the patient's fluid resuscitation, followed by early burn debridement. A TraumaGuard catheter was used for continuous intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) monitoring. On the second day of admission, a critical IAP of 20 mm Hg was detected, indicative of impending ACS. Immediate intervention with cistracurium and increased sedation reduced the IAP to 9 mm Hg, preventing the progression to ACS. This case demonstrates the importance of routine IAP monitoring in severely burned patients to prevent ACS. Early identification and management of elevated IAP can avert the progression to ACS and reduce the need for more invasive interventions.