Chronically Increased Intra-abdominal Pressure: Validating a Model

Abstract

A rabbit model establishing and maintaining chronically increased IAP was successfully created and proved to be simple, effective, and repeatable. This model established chronically increased IAP permitting this way the study of its effect on organs and systems.

Can Chronic Intra-Abdominal Hypertension Cause Oxidative Stress to the Abdominal Wall Muscles? An Experimental Study

“…The system used to increase the intra-abdominal pressure consisted of three parts [8,9]. The rubber bag with a capacity of 300 mL, the connecting tube, and the valve for external control of intra-abdominal pressure, similar to the valve used in adjustable gastric bands (Fig.…”

Diaphragmatic Adaptation Following Intra-abdominal Weight Charging

“…Recently, our team-employing the same model [9]has recently published an article concerning the morphological changes induced to rectus abdominus muscle by abdominal load [6]. In the above-mentioned study, the weight charging induced no significant change in the proportion of muscular fibers of the rectus abdominus.…”

“…All rabbits weighed between 3.0 and 3.5 kg. Animals were allowed to acclimatize for 1 week before having the plumb loads (corresponding to 5% of their initial body weight) inserted in their abdominal cavity with the aid of a previously described device [9]. During the experimentation period, all animals were kept in the same environment (same room and same conditions) in adjacent cages and were fed ad libitum.…”

The Effects of Chronically Increased Intra-abdominal Pressure on the Rabbit Diaphragm

“…In order to create increased IAP without weight elevation, we employed the technique described by Papavramidis et al [7]. A device that consisted of three parts-an intra-abdominal balloon, an external control valve, and a tube-connecting the two previous parts was implanted to the animals under general anesthesia.…”

“…Chronically increased IAP is every IAP elevated to more than 12 mmHg for more than 8 weeks without producing any acute organ dysfunction [7], and it normally characterizes pregnancy [8], while it is also observed in pathologic conditions, like morbid obesity [9][10][11] and ascites [12]. Chronic IAP elevation is also described in splenomegaly, hepatomegaly [13], large cysts and pseudocysts [14], retroperitoneal tumors, and hematomas [15].…”