Measuring Alterations in Intra-Abdominal Pressure During Abdominoplasty as a Predictive Value for Possible Postoperative Complications

The purpose of this study was to measure the changes in Intra-Abdominal Pressure (IAP) during abdominoplasty and the relevance of these changes to the immediate postoperative recovery period. Eighteen patients (17 females and one male) who underwent abdominoplasty for aesthetic reasons participated in the study. The data collected included measurements of height, weight, and measurements of the intra-urinary bladder pressure prior to surgery, immediately post operative, and 18–24 hours postoperative. Changes in tidal volume and ventilation pressures were also measured prior to surgery and immediately postoperative. The weight of the excised tissue ranged between 1150 g–6500 g with an average of 2700 g. Three patients had significant diasthesis recti repair during surgery. In these patients the measured intra-vesicular pressure was above 24 cm of H₂O by the end of the operation and above 20 cm of H₂O the day following surgery. Two out of the three patients were treated with anticoagulants and the symptoms subsided within a week. The third patient recovered spontaneously by the third day. In conclusion, patients with an intra-urinary bladder pressure above 20 cm of H₂O following abdominoplasty were felt to be at significant risk for development of respiratory distress in the immediate postoperative period.