Table 1 Factors associated with decreased abdominal compliance. Adapted from [2] with permission

1) Related to anthropomorphy and demographics

- Android composition (sphere, apple shape)

- Increased visceral fat

- Waist‐to‐hip ratio >  1

- Short stature

- Male sex

- Young age (increased elastic recoil)

- Obesity (weight, BMI)

2) Related to comorbidities and/or increased non‐compressible intra‐abdominal volume (IAV)

- Fluid overload

- Abdominal fluid collections, pseudocyst, abscess

- Sepsis, burns, trauma and bleeding (coagulopathy)

- Bowels filled with fluid

- Stomach filled with fluid

- Tense ascites

- Hepatomegaly

- Splenomegaly

3) Related to abdominal wall and diaphragm

- Interstitial and anasarca edema (skin, abdominal wall)

- Abdominal burn eschars (circular)

- Thoracic burn eschars (circular)

- Tight closure after abdominal surgery

- Abdominal Velcro belt or adhesive drapes

- Prone positioning

- Head‐of‐bed >  45°

- Umbilical hernia repair

- Muscle contractions (pain)

- Body builders (‘6‐pack’)

- Pneumoperitoneum

- Pneumatic anti‐shock garments

- Abdominal wall bleeding

- Rectus sheath hematoma

- Correction of large hernias

- Gastroschisis

- Omphalocele

- Mechanical ventilation (positive pressure)

- Fighting with the ventilator

- Use of accessory muscles

- Use of positive end‐expiratory pressure (PEEP)

- Presence of auto‐PEEP (tension pneumothorax)

- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) emphysema (diaphragm flattening)

- Basal pleuropneumonia