Intra-abdominal Hypertension after Life-Threatening Penetrating Abdominal Trauma

IAH is frequent after major abdominal trauma. It may cause gut mucosal acidosis at lower bladder pressures, long before the onset of clinical ACS. Uncorrected, it may lead to splanchnic hypoperfusion, ACS, distant organ failure, and death. Prophylactic mesh closure of the abdomen may facilitate the prevention and bedside treatment of IAH and reduce these complications.