The Acute Abdomen

Question 1

What is the acute abdomen?

Answer 1

A combination of signs and symptoms which may result in a patient needing urgent surgical opinion

Often involves non-specific abdomen pain

Question 2

What is peritonitis?

Answer 2

Inflammation of the serosal membrane of the peritoneum lining the abdominal cavity

Question 3

What are the common routes of infection in peritonitis? (4)

Answer 3

Perforation of GI
Female genital tract
Penetration of abdominal wall
Haematogenous spread

Question 4

What circumstances allow generalised peritonitis to occur? (4)

Answer 4

Rapid contamination
Contamination persists
Abscess ruptures
Adjuvant substances help foster bacterial growth

Question 5

Where can the causes of intestinal obstruction originate?

Answer 5

Obstruction in gut tube
Mass on gut tube
Compression by something related to local structures

Question 6

What are the signs of intestinal obstruction? (5)

Answer 6

Abdominal Pain (Visceral, somatic, referred?)
Vomiting
Abdominal distention
Constipation
Borborygmi and tinkling bowel sounds