ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the clinical management of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in burn patients with severe burn injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve serious burn patients with abdominal compartment syndrome hospitalized in our center from January 2001 to April 2005 were enrolled in the study. Among them 3 patients were treated with conservative method, 4 with escharectomy of abdominal wall, 5 with laparotomy for decompression. The clinical results were analyzed statistically. Bladder pressure, central venous pressure, systolic blood pressure and arterial blood oxygen partial pressure (PaO2 ) were measured and compared before and after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among these 12 patients, 5 died with the overall mortality of 41.67%. But only 3 died among 9 patients undergone operation. Most of patients were oliguric,with abnormal bladder pressure, central venous pressure, and systolic blood pressure 24 hours before operation. But these parameters were significantly improved after operation ( P <0. 01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Early abdominal escharectomy and timely abdominal decompression are vital for the management of ACS in burn patients.</p>