Intra-Abdominal Pressure and the Morbidly Obese Patients: The Effect of Body Mass Index

Abstract

Baseline IAP in the obese is greater than normal weight population (0-6 mm Hg), but not in range of intra-abdominal hypertension (>12 mm Hg). Postoperative status is unrelated to IAP. Elevated BMI does impact IAP, but the incremental value is small. Markedly increased IAP should not be attributed solely to elevated BMI and should be recognized as a pathologic condition.