OBJECTIVETo improve the safety of the abdominoplasty by the study of the complication of abdominal compartment syndrome after abdominoplasty.

METHODSThree cases were analyzed and discussed respectively in aspects of clinic symptoms, pathological reason, treatments and follow-up results. The treatment was the incision of musculoaponeurotic system, which usually cause defect of abdominal wall after pressure releasing. The defect of musculoaponeurotic system was reconstructed by Mesh, and the defect of skin was repaired by skin graft.

RESULTSThe pathologic change of the complications was the shrinking of the belly cavity's volume and the increasing internal pressure of the abdomen caused the internal pressure of the thoracic cavity increase. The clinical manifestations included compressive feelings of chest and abdomen, high urinary frequency and psychiatric symptom. 2 patients accepted the operation. The abdominal compartment syndrome disappeared after the operation, and the results of the two years follow-up were satisfied.

CONCLUSIONSFull abdominoplasty has the risk of causing abdominal compartment syndrome. This complication can be cured by decompression of abdominal wall. The effect is stable after long time's follow-up. Special preventive methods should be used in high-risk patients to avoid this complication.