PubMed · 531830
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P Fugelli, R Hellebø. 1979-11-10. [Acute abdomen--problems in general practice].. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/531830/
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In cases of acute abdomen, the preoperative diagnostic options are limited. Diagnostic laparoscopy offers a superior overview of the abdominal cavity with minimal trauma to the patient. If further surgery is needed, it may take the form of either laparoscopic procedures or conversion to open surgery, the incision being guided by laparoscopy findings. Complications associated to laparoscopy are few and can be minimized further by using minilaparotomy techniques. Intensive educational programmes for all categories of staff are required to make a 24-hours-a-day laparoscopy service available.
A child is said to have an 'acute abdomen' in case of severe abdominal pain of sudden onset. Further investigations are necessary if the pain is very bad, persists for longer than 3-4 hours or is accompanied by vomiting. Failure to make the correct diagnosis may result in severe complications. The principal cause in an older child is acute appendicitis. This diagnosis is to be based on the anamnesis, physical examination and laboratory tests. If one of these is typical, active observation is indicated; if two or three are typical, appendectomy is indicated. Differential diagnoses can only be made during laparotomy. Intussusception occurs more frequently in toddlers. In a child with possible intussusception, observation is not justified: the diagnosis should be excluded by a contrast colonic X-ray, or operation should be performed either immediately or, if the symptoms persist, after the X-ray. Rest and patience, careful and child-adapted approach, and correct evaluation of aberrant symptoms may minimize unnecessary intervention.
The aim of this prospective study was to determine whether plain abdominal radiographs (PAX) are helpful in the management of adult patients presenting with acute pain of the right lower quadrant (RLQ). A questionnaire was filled in for each patient admitted to our hospital for acute abdominal pain of the RLQ, before and after PAX were obtained. The initial questionnaire indicated the suspected diagnosis and a provisional therapeutic option. A total of 104 consecutive patients were included in this study, 76 of whom underwent surgery. The negative laparotomy rate was 22%. PAX changed the suspected diagnosis and management for six patients (6%), leading in one case to negative laparotomy. Of the remaining five patients, three were operated (two for acute appendicitis and one for small bowel obstruction), and two were treated conservatively for ureteral calculi. This prospective study seems to demonstrate that the indiscriminate use of PAX is not helpful for most patients with acute pain of the RLQ. However, it may be performed in selected patients with clinically suspected small bowel obstruction or urinary symptoms.