Acute abdomen

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(Redirected from Sudden abdominal events)

Acute Abdomen are serious conditions that arise suddenly, from full health, and have a very rapid course. Without timely treatment, they can be life-threatening. An important criterion for subsequent treatment is a quick but accurate determination of the underlying diagnosis. All examinations must be carried out thoroughly and systematically.

Distribution of acute abdomen[edit | edit source]

Accidental acute abdomen[edit | edit source]

  • rupture of parenchymal organs (hemoperitoneum)
  • perforation of hollow organs
  • mixed form

Non-accidental acute abdomen[edit | edit source]

  • inflammatory (limited to the organ/with transition to the surroundings, diffuse peritonitis)
  • ileus (mechanical/ neurogenic/ vascular ileus)
  • vascular - venous thrombosis, arterial embolization, bleeding into the GIT

Symptomatology[edit | edit source]

  • pain
  • subfebrile, or febrile
  • tachycardia, tachypnea
  • nausea, vomiting
  • abdominal distension
  • stiff, tense abdominal wall
  • patient position
  • gas and stool disorders

Basic examination[edit | edit source]

Anamnesis[edit | edit source]

  • CC (chief complaint) – development and nature of difficulties, time of onset of difficulties
  • Illnesses, operations, traumas
  • Allergies
  • Family diseases
  • Past medical history
  • Social history (medicine), including living arrangements, occupation, marital status, number of children, drug use (including tobacco, alcohol, other recreational drug use), working conditions
  • GA – in woman (Sexual history, obstetric/gynecological)
  1. direct - taken from the patient
  2. indirect - taken from family, paramedics, friends...
Searchtool right.svg For more information see Anamnesis.

Clinical examination[edit | edit source]

View

  • we always examine the entire abdomen, from the nipples to the inguinal ligaments (signs of a hernia)
  • we observe the level of the abdomen - whether it is raised or sunken
  • we notice wounds, bruises, scars
  • we observe peristaltic waves
  • we observe the breath wave
  • abdominal configuration

Feel

  • we start the investigation on the opposite side from the pain
  • we detect muscle contraction, resistance and soreness
  • border of liver and spleen
  • surface palpation with the whole hand, palpation with 1 or 2 fingers, deep palpation

Percussion

  • differentiated tympanic
  • tympanic
  • dark
  • we notice a painful tap

Listening

  • silence
  • irregular sounds
  • strenuous peristalsis
  • the sound of a drop falling
  • splash
Searchtool right.svg For more information see Abdominal Examination.

Examination per rectum

  • surroundings of anus
  • pain
  • sphincter tone
  • stool
  • bleeding
Searchtool right.svg For more information see Examination per rectum.

Paraclinical examination[edit | edit source]

Links[edit | edit source]

Related Articles[edit | edit source]

Resources[edit | edit source]

  • ZEMAN, Miroslav – KRŠKA, Zdeněk. Chirurgická propedeutika. 3. edition. Grada, 2011. ISBN 978-80-247-3770-6.
  • SLEZÁKOVÁ, Lenka. Ošetřovatelství v chirurgii II. 1. edition. Grada, 2010. ISBN 978-80-247-3130-8.
  • KELNAROVÁ, Jarmila. První pomoc II. 1. edition. Grada Publishing, 2007. 184 pp. ISBN 9788024721835.