Intra-abdominal volume increment is a new abdominal surgery, which is used to prevent the abdominal compartment syndrome caused by intra-abdominal hypertension.In this article, the author emphasizes the concept, indications,operative principles of intra-abdominal volume increment. Firstly,laparotomy was performed, active bleeding and source of infection were controlled. Then greater omentum was put under the incision, vacuseal dressings were apphed on the greater omentum,and the abdominal incision was sutured. If the intra-abdominal pressure was less than 12 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0. 133 kPa) for 48 hours during 7-14 days after operation, abdominal incision could be closed, while if the intra-abdominal pressure was more than 12 mm Hg, dermatoplasty was used to close abdominal incision to form a ventral hernia, then definitive abdominal wall reconstruction was performed 6 months after operation.