Abdominal compartment syndrome(ACS)is an important factor contributing to the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome which is commonly seen in patients with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP).As a life-saving procedure,decompressive laparotomy is widely applied to patients with SAP complicated with ACS,especially to patients with edema of the visceral tissues caused by massive fluid resuscitation at the early stage of the disease.However,decompressive laparotomy should be adopted with caution since it is associated with enteroatmospherie fistula,intraabdominal infection,postoperative ileus,third space losses,hypothermia and hemia.Therefore,decompressive laparotomy should only be considered after conservative management had failed.The indications for decompressive laparotomy are as follows:(1)intraabdominal pressure＞25 nnn Hg;(2)adequate ventilation of the patient is difficult;(3)pereutaneous drainage of ascites is not helpful.Timely temporal abdominal closure is helpful in preventing complications.Infected peripanereatie necrosis is the indication for peripancreatic exploration or necroseetomy.A thorough knowledge of decompressive laparotomy is essential for individualized management of patients with SAP complicated with ACS.