acute abdomen

Question 1

How does peritonitis occur - how does the infection occur and reach peritoneum

Answer 1

Perforation of GI and biliary tract
Female genital tract
Penetration of abdo wall
Haematogenous spread - infection travelled through the blood to reach the peritoneal cavity

Question 2

What are the presenting features of an intestinal obstruction

Answer 2

Pain
Vomiting
Distension
Constipation
Borborygmi - rumbling sound made my movement of fluid and gasses in the intestines

Question 3

Describe visceral pain

Answer 3

Pain which is not very localised and can only point to pain in the foregut,midgut of hindgut

Question 4

Describe somatic and referred pain

Answer 4

Receptors in the parietal peritoneum of the abdominal wall which allows for accurate localisation

Question 5

What investigations are done for acute abdomen issues

Answer 5

urine + bHCG
FBC + U+Es + LFTS

Ultrasound
CT
laparoscopy