[New device and technique to measure intra-abdominal pressure]

Introduction: sequential measurement of intra-abdominal pressure is of paramount importance for an early detection and appropriate therapeutic management of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome.

Objective: to validate a device and technique developed to measure intra-abdominal pressure (an innovation of the Foley urinary catheter named intra-abdominal pressure catheter).

Methods: three different sets of measurements where done to test the intra-abdominal pressure catheter device: I. 50 measurements were done with the intra-abdominal pressure catheter device and compared against those measurements done using a manometer graded in cm H(2)O; II. Direct measurement of intra-abdominal pressure in five patients during elective laparoscopy vs the intraabdominal pressure catheter device; and III. Measurement of intra-abdominal pressure by the Kron method (Gold standard) vs intra-abdominal pressure catheter device in three patents with intra-abdominal hypertension/abdominal compartment syndrome. Measurements where compared with Pearson correlation test and Bland Altman statistics.

Results: I.Intra-abdominal pressure catheter vs graded manometer: r = 0.99, with a mean pressure difference of 0.27 ± 0.23 mmHg, CI (0.039 to 0.092 mmHg). II. Direct measurement of intra-abdominal pressure during laparoscopy vs intra-abdominal pressure catheter device: r = 0.93, with a mean pressure difference of 0.18 ± 0.84 mmHg, CI (-1.46 to 1.83 mmHg) and III. Measurement of intra-abdominal pressure by the Kron Method vs intra-abdominal pressure catheter device: r = 0.81, with a mean pressure difference of -0.41 ± 0.87, CI (-2.12 mmHg to 1.30 mmHg).

Conclusions: the intra-abdominal pressure catheter device is a safe and reliable instrument for measuring intra-abdominal pressure.