Abdominal Compartment Syndrome after Cesarean Section: A Case Report

     Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is defined as a sustained or repeated pathologic increase in IAP >12 mmHg (1). ACS has been indicated to occur frequently in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) and has been independently associated with mortality (1). In addition, this syndrome is accompanied by other organ dysfunction, especially intra-abdominal and pelvic component. The diagnosis of ACS is established when there is a sustained increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) in accordance with evidence of end-organ dysfunction (2). The golden standard test for the diagnosis of ACS is intra-abdominal pressure along with intra-vesical pressure (2). The adverse effects of ACS on multiple organ systems include: renal, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal/integumentary (abdominal wall), and central nervous system (3). The definite management of ACS is based on optimal timing and staging of abdominal decompression and depends on the early identification of at-risk patients. In cases with intra-abdominal pressure greater than 25 mm Hg and bladder pressure greater than 12 mm Hg, definitive diagnosis is ACS. It is of utmost importance to perform emergency surgical procedures in this condition.  Untreated ACS cases can lead to high rates of morbidity and mortality (4). A few cases of this syndrome have been reported in the literature which developed after liver transplantation, ruptured aortic aneurysm and, retroperitoneal hematoma (5-7). To the best of our knowledge, no study has been conducted on this syndrome after cesarean section. With this background in mind, this report aimed to introduce a case of ACS after the cesarean section.

Case report

    A-32-year old multiparous woman (3 vaginal delivery and one CS) with increased blood pressure (mean BP=140 mmHg) was hospitalized on 16th October 2018. She underwent a cesarean section due to the arrest of descent. During the surgery, uterine atony was observed, and severe hemorrhage happened. B-lynch suture, misoprostol administration, and conservative management were performed, according to the guidelines. In addition, two units of packed cells (PC) were transfused. After the surgery, the blood pressure remained normal; moreover, all laboratory tests related to preeclampsia were completely normal. After two days, the hemoglobin level decreased to 6.6 mg/dl for no obvious reason; therefore, 2 units of PC and 2 units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) were transfused. Severe distension and fever emerged 4 days after the operation. Nasogastric/colonic decompression was not effective. Meropenem, Vancomycin, and Metronidazole were intravenously injected despite the absence of fever. Two days later, she referred to our academic hospital affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences due to severe abdominal distension and fever.  On admission to the hospital, the patient was pale and ill. The primary vital signs included: heart rate (HR)=100 bpm, blood pressure (BP)=110/70 mmHg, and temperature=37.8°C. She had nausea without vomiting. The residue of the intra-abdominal drain was 60 cc and the incision site had a normal appearance. The blood electrolytes were assessed. 2 units of PC were transfused (haemoglobin: 7.3 mg/dl). The nasogastric tube had a little output. The chest X-Ray was normal. According to abdominal ultrasonography, the uterine size was 130×330 mm with myometrium thickening, and gas was detected in the uterine cavity. The possible diagnosis was uterine atony and metritis.  Abdominal flat X-ray and computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated partial bowel obstruction only in small bowels. Emergency laparotomy was performed due to non-response to medical treatment. During laparotomy, enlarged soft uterus as equivocal 36 weeks of pregnancy was observed with a very pale appearance. Despite the reassessment of intracavity and removal of all stitches of CS, no reason to uterine distention was found. In addition, the left ovarian and fallopian tube were gangrened (Figure 1).

     The warm saline irrigation of the entire abdominal compartment was performed. Thereafter, she was admitted to ICU. 

     The patient's condition deteriorated the next day. Tachycardia, (heart rate (HR) =150 bpm), increased abdominal distension, and defecation failure were observed. High-risk Crisis Committee Team were consulted and second surgery as an emergency decompressive laparotomy was decided upon.

The surgeon's opinion was in favor of hysterectomy (Figure 2) along with frequent evacuation of intestinal contents from the oesophagus to the rectum.

This procedure was carried out by a general surgeon very gently and carefully and continued until feces and gas were completely removed from the intestines. Ultimately, the normal appearance of total intestines was observed (Figure 3).

    After the operation, intra-abdominal pressure, urinary bladder pressure, and central venous pressure (CVP) were measured three times a day to control the intra-abdominal pressure (Table 1). The second day after the operation, the vital signs (PR=110-120/min) and patients' general condition improved. Bladder pressure was 18-20 mmHg and subsequently decreased to 8 mmHg three days later (normal range is 0-15 mmHg). The second laparotomy was considered to close abdominal fascia which was left untreated in the first surgery due to the patient's conditions. Moreover, reactive fluid was removed, and intestinal adhesion was released during the procedure; therefore, the abdominal wall was closed after the irrigation. The next day, tachycardia was improved and HR decreased to 70-80 bpm, and distension gradually decreased. She also had defecation and gas passing. The patient was discharged a few days later with a good general condition.

The pathological report of uterus revealed severe congestion, focal haemorrhage, and coagulation necrosis. It confirmed the uterus atony (Figure 4).   

    This information is reported with the patient’s informed consent.

Discussion

     In this report, we presented the case of a woman who suffered from ACS following CS. The early detection and proper management saved the life of this patient. The onset of ACS requires prompt recognition and appropriately timed and staged intervention in order to optimize the outcome. ACS can be both primary and secondary. The causes of this disease include postoperative bleeding, mechanical intestinal obstruction, and postoperative closure of the abdomen under tension, ascites, and ileus (8). Intraoperative haemorrhage was the risk factor in our patient. IAP is routinely measured by bladder pressure. This pressure was measured at 18-20 mmHg in our patient; therefore, she was placed in the second grade of IAP, according to the World Society of the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (9). Due to intra-abdominal pressure, perfusion of other internal organs is impaired and leads to an emergency condition. Decompression techniques should be performed if the pressure was above 15 mmHg (10). Supportive therapies along with surgical techniques improved the condition of our patient. Partial bowel obstruction can occur after any surgery; consequently, passing gas, defecation, abdominal distension, nausea, and vomiting need to be controlled (11). Numerous medical therapies have been proposed for the management of these patients. The definitive treatment of ACS is based on optimal timing and staging of abdominal decompression and depends on the early identification of at-risk patients. The early diagnosis of at-risk patients is mandatory for the successful management of ACS. The first step is acute resuscitation, hemodynamic stability, and change of body position. In addition, nasogastric/colonic decompression may be effective. Nevertheless, the administration of sedation, analgesia, and neuromuscular blockade strategies may alleviate the need for decompressive laparotomy (12-14). However, the role of albumin and diuretics has not been well-established. The final step in treatment is an emergency surgical or radiologic intervention. Percutaneous catheter drainage may be a beneficial approach. However, decompressive laparotomy as a definitive procedure in the treatment of ACS leads to the successful resolution of this disease (15). In our case, the first step was hydration and mechanical decompression techniques. Nonetheless, serum electrolyte balance and antibiotic therapy may solve the problem due to reduced edema and inflammation; consequently, surgical technique was required (16). In the surgical procedure, the manual evacuation of gastrointestinal tract contents was effective; subsequently, saline irrigation resolved the problem. In this syndrome, fascia is not closed; therefore, the skin should be closed temporarily, and the repair would be completed in the second surgery (17).

Conclusion

     ACS during cesarean section is a rare event which is associated with a high risk of mortality. This complication is accompanied by organ dysfunction; therefore, delayed diagnosis and treatment can cause irreversible damages. The physicians should assess all signs after CS delivery. In this regard, ACS should be suspected in the event of some complications after CS. They include massive abdominal distention, nausea, vomiting, pain, fever, difficulty breathing, the sign of hypovolemia, and decreased urine output. The identification of at-risk patients, early recognition, and appropriate management, and timed intervention contribute greatly to the effective management of this condition.  

Acknowledgments

       Thanks for the cooperation of the personnel of academic Hospital in Ghaem Mashhad.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.