At Montlick Injury Attorneys, our Atlanta personal injury attorneys have represented countless people facing all types of injuries, including a significant proportion of those who sustained trauma to the abdomen. As we have seen, sometimes abdominal trauma can be mild and resolve on its own, or it can lead to the development of a potentially life threatening condition known as abdominal compartment syndrome (“ACS”). If you sustained abdominal trauma due to ACS as a result of an accident, you should be entitled to significant compensation. Contact Montlick and Associates now to learn more about your legal rights and options. This blog article will discuss ACS as it pertains to personal injury claims. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and, if you believe you have sustained a serious medical condition such as ACS, you should consult a medical doctor immediately.
What is ACS?
ACS refers to an increase of pressure within the abdomen that can lead to damage to the surrounding organs such as the liver, pancreas, kidneys, stomach and intestines. The most common cause of ACS is due to blunt force trauma to the abdomen, usually as a result of high impact car accident or a fall from a great height. In ACS, the pressure can build within the abdomen to the point where it can cause damage to the abdominal organs. It can also lead to a decrease in blood supply to the abdominal organs as the pressure within the abdominal cavity compresses the blood vessels that supply each organ.
Symptoms of ACS
ACS can have either a delayed or rapid onset, depending upon the nature of the accident causing it. In either case, most people experience abdominal pain and bloating as the first telltale sign of the condition. People also commonly experience difficulty breathing and have shortness of breath. A rather ominous sign of ACS is decreased urine output, which signals severe trauma to the kidneys, which are particularly vulnerable to a compressive injury.
How is ACS Treated?
Treatment for ACS is immediate survey to open the abdominal cavity and relieve the pressure (called surgical decompression) before organ damage can occur. If ACS results in permanent damage to certain abdominal organs, organ transplant might be necessary. Sometimes, ACS can lead to bladder and bowel dysfunction, which can require years of rehabilitative measures, medications and even surgery.
Sources:
