‘Acute’ Abdomen

Definition Acute Abdomen

Definition Acute Abdomen

Temporal – short lived

Definition Acute Abdomen

Temporal – short lived In need of immediate intervention – NOT

necessarily Surgical

Common Symptoms Pain Vomiting Bleeding Diarrhoea

AnatomyLiver, Gall BladderStomach, Duodenum, Pancreas, Kidney(Pleura, Spine)

Stomach, Pancreas, Spleen(Pleura, Spine)

Ureter, Appendix, Colon, Lymph nodes, Ovary, Tube, Uterus(Spine, Hip, Knee)

Ureter, Colon, Lymph nodes, Ovary, Tube, Uterus(Spine, Hip, Knee)

Causes Abdominal

Extra – abdominal

Examination Common findings:

Tenderness/Guarding/Rigidity/Rebound tenderness

Common Fallacies in examination

Common Diagnoses Examples of Typical patients

General Management Bloods Urinalysis ? X-rays

General Management I/V Access - Fluids Pain relief – what to use Use of Antibiotics DVT Prophylaxis

Specific Management Plans Appendicitis Cholecystitis Pancreatitis Diverticulitis Obstruction

Small bowel Large bowel

Hernia