Acute Abdomen: Obstruction, Perforation, Inflammation Flashcards
What happens when perforation occurs in the acute abdomen?
direct communication of organ with peritoneum
What happens when here is peroration of the stomach/small intestine/large bowel? (3)
- rapid bacterial and chemical spread
- peritonitis
- septicaemia
What are the clinical signs of perforation? (3)
- severe pain
- lies still in bed
- rigid board like abdomen
What is seen on x-ray in a perforation?
air under the diaphragm
How can peritonitis be treated? (2)
- control of infection
2. sealing/removal of perforation
What are the consequence of bowel obstruction?
- ischaemia
- necrosis
- perforation
- inflammation
What is the presentation of intestinal obstruction? (3)
- abdominal pain and disension
- constipation/obstipation
- vomiting
What are the common causes of intestinal obstruction? (4)
- hernia
- adhesion
- intussusception
- Volvulus
Where do hernias usually occur? (4)
- inguinal
- femoral
- para umbilical
- surgical scars
What are the complications of hernias?
- bacterial invasion
- transmural infarction
- visceral peritoneal inflammation
What causes intussusception?
- reactive lymphoid hyperplasia in paediatrics
2. tumours in adults
What is stool like with an intussusception?
- red current jelly stool
How is intussusception treated?
enema
What is a volvulus?
twisting of any mesentrized viscous around its mesenteric root
What are the watershed areas of the intestine?
- splenic flexure
2. sigmoid colon to rectum