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Introduction: Increased intraabdominal pressure (IAP) is associated with higher complication and mortality rates. Decompressive surgery is the most effective treatment for abdominal hypertension in trauma and septic patients with IAP., Objective: To establish the association between IAP, complications, and mortality and to evaluate morbidity and mortality after decompressive surgery., Material and Method: We performed a prospective, analytical, longitudinal study designed in 2 phases. In the first phase, 17 patients (mean age = 66 years, range: 39-78) admitted to the intensive care unit who underwent abdominal surgery were studied. In the second phase, 47 patients (mean age = 65 years, range: 48-78) underwent decompressive surgery, 6 for abdominal trauma and 41 for postoperative peritonitis. In both phases, all patients were fitted with urinary, arterial, and pulmonary artery catheters. The following variables were recorded: hemodynamic, respiratory and renal parameters; IAP, APACHE II, complications, and mortality., Results: Patients with complications had significantly higher mean IAP (12.3 mm Hg; 95% CI, 10.7-13.9) than those without complications (7.9 mm Hg; 95% CI, 4.7-11.1) (p = 0.004). Patients that survived had a significantly lower mean IAP (8.7 mm Hg; 95% CI, 5.9-11.5) than those that died (12.4 mm Hg; 95% CI, 10.2-14.7) (p = 0.03). In patients who underwent decompressive surgery, a significant difference was found between APACHE II predicted mortality (40.4%) and observed mortality (25.5%) (p = 0.02). One patient with decompressive surgery developed an intestinal fistula., Conclusions: Controlling IAP, prophylaxis against abdominal hypertension, recognizing abdominal hypertension and decompressive surgery are new parameters and new concepts to be considered in the treatment of critical surgical patients.