Background:
Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is a known complication of severe acute pancreatitis. It is typically secondary to visceral edema and aggressive fluid resuscitation, but rarely caused by a retroperitoneal hematoma due to ruptured visceral pseudoaneurysms.
Case presentation:
A 49-year-old man presented in shock with a history of heavy alcohol use and was transferred to the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of severe acute pancreatitis. Computed tomography scan on hospital day 2 revealed a large retroperitoneal hematoma due to ruptured gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysms. Despite adequate resuscitation, the patient developed ACS, which required decompressive laparotomy on hospital day 10. Open abdominal management was continued until multiorgan failure resolved. He was eventually discharged to a rehabilitation hospital 3 months after presenting.
Conclusion:
We report a patient with severe acute pancreatitis who underwent decompressive laparotomy for ACS secondary to a large retroperitoneal hematoma due to ruptured gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysms.