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PubMed1997

Acute abdomen. When to operate immediately and when to observe.

When to operate immediately, when to observe, and when not to operate at all represent major challenges in the management of a child with an acute abdomen. This article is an overview of the subject from symptom to diagnosis, evaluation, and preparation for the surgical intervention. Tables provide examples of conditions requiring prompt surgical intervention and relative surgical urgency; pathologies suitable for (initial) nonsurgical management; and clinical pictures where surgical intervention is not indicated. Factors that influence the timing of operation are provided, as is the differential diagnosis between intestinal strangulation and obstruction. Brief notes highlight four important causes of acute abdomen in children acute appendicitis, malrotation with volvulus, Meckel's diverticulum, and intussusception. These as well as other intraabdominal pathologies are illustrated by means of surgical photographs. The acute abdomen is a clinical diagnosis. Other diagnostic modalities have merely supporting roles. The decision to operate is based primarily on the results of a good history and thorough physical examination(s).

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The value of ultrasonography in the x-ray negative non-traumatic acute abdomen.

Over a period of three years, 122 patients who presented with acute abdomen, and had normal abdominal x-rays on admission were examined with Ultrasonography (U/S) in order to evaluate the use of Abdominal Ultrasonography in patients with negative x-ray findings. Sonographic evaluation was undertaken with Siemen's equipment (Sonoline S1-2) with a 3.5 MHz sector transducer for the abdominal organs and 5 or 7.5 MHz sector transducer for the abdominal organs and 5 or 7.5 MHz linear array for the intestines and right iliac fossa. Analysis included features or organ inflammation, bowel wall changes, and motility and collections. Ultrasound guided aspiration and drainage were done when necessary. Surgical confirmation was obtained in 86 out of the 122 cases. The commonest finding were appendicitis, intestinal obstruction and gynaecological pathologies. Ultrasound correctly identified 76 out of the 86 positive cases (88%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive valve and negative predictive valves were 88%, 78%, 96% and 83% respectively. There were seven (7) false negative findings, and three (3) false positive cases. Pancreatitis was the commonest cause of false negative findings. The study clearly shows that ultrasound imaging can identify the underlying pathology in 88% of patients with acute abdomen with negative, plain abdominal x-ray findings. Ultrasound guided interventional procedures can also be done without delay.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed1995

Acute abdomen as atypical presentation of brucellosis: report of two cases and review of literature.

Abdominal involvement in brucellosis is seen in the acute, subacute and chronic disease. It is not typical, however, that acute abdomen is the presenting feature of brucellosis. In this paper, two cases of serologically diagnosed brucellosis are reported, both presenting initially with acute abdomen and fever. In brucella-endemic regions of the world, brucellosis has to be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen and fever. With definitive diagnosis, unnecessary laparotomy can be avoided.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed1998

[Nothing gained from the determinations of plasma lactate levels in the evaluation of a patient with acute abdomen].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the diagnostic value of laboratory tests, especially the plasma lactate concentration, for determination of the indication for acute surgery in patients with an acute abdomen. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Kennemer Gasthuis, location Elisabeth Gasthuis, Haarlem, the Netherlands. METHOD: The study group consisted of all 200 successive patients presenting at the emergency room with acute abdomen from June 1993 to December 1994 (19 months). Patients with suspected acute appendicitis were excluded. The diagnosis and indication for surgery if any were based on case history, physical examination, radiological examination if performed and standard laboratory tests: ESR, leukocyte count, haemoglobin, creatinine and amylase. The first matter considered was to what extent the indication for acute operation based on these clinical criteria was in agreement with the diagnosis at discharge. The next question studied was what would be the extra value of the plasma lactate concentration which, although determined, had not been reported to the clinician. Statistical analysis was performed using the two-sample Student t test and the chi 2 test. A p-value of < 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were operated within 24 hours for good reasons, six were incorrectly not operated within 24 hours, 128 correctly received conservative treatment and 12 were correctly treated conservatively and subsequently underwent operation after longer than 24 hours. Diagnostics based on the clinical criteria had a sensitivity of 90%. The mean plasma lactate concentration, temperature and ESR were statistically significant more often increased in the operated patients than in those treated conservatively. The sensitivities of these determinations were 75%, 67% and 40% (all: p < 0.05). The lactate concentration was increased in 50% of the patients who in retrospect had incorrectly not been subjected to acute surgery. CONCLUSION: Neither determination of the plasma lactate concentration nor the results of the separate standard laboratory tests in acute abdomen patients resulted in a better sensitivity for the determination of an indication for acute surgery than clinical examination combined with standard laboratory tests and, if desired, supplementary radiology.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed1999

[Laparoscopy in acute abdomen as diagnostic and surgical aid].

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.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Wandering spleen as a cause of acute abdomen: a case report.

We report a case of acute abdomen due to torsion of the long vascular pedicle of a wandering spleen, displaced in the abdominal cavity, and caused by partial infarction of the spleen. The 46-year-old patient presented to the casualty department with piercing abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and a palpable mass in the mesogastric region. US and CT scan revealed the presence of a mass compatible with an ectopic spleen in the mesohypogastric region, featuring necrotic-haemorrhagic areas, a long, contorted vascular pedicle twisted on its axis, and an empty splenic space. We performed an emergency laparoscopic splenectomy. Conservative surgery (splenopexy) could not be done because of the severe impairment of the vascular supply to the organ. Nowadays, conservative surgery is preferred in cases without vascular impairment, especially in children, by creating an omental or synthetic pouch after fixing the organ in the splenic space.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed1980

[Problems after surgery of acute abdomen].

Many problems may persist after operation of an acute abdomen. Most important are peritonitis, hemorrhage, vascular occlusion and reduced general condition. Pathophysiology, clinical symptoms and therapeutic principles are discussed.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed1997

Acute abdomen. The role of laparoscopy.

The child with an acute abdomen presents the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the benefits of minimal-access surgery. There are a wide variety of conditions, acquired and congenital, for which minimal-access techniques provide the distinct advantages of a cost-effective diagnosis and therapy with minimal discomfort for the patient. In the present report, the management of children with abdominal pain of unclear etiology is outlined, along with discussions of the value of minimal-access surgery in appendicitis and other conditions. Several algorithms are provided as a guideline for suggested approaches to management.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed2000

Acute abdomen and Clostridium difficile colitis: still a lethal combination.

BACKGROUND: With the steadily prevalent appropriate and inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents, Clostridium difficile colitis has continued to be noticed as a common problem in hospitalized patients. The aim of this communication is to highlight a subset of C. difficile colitis patients who presented with an acute abdomen. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 10 patients who underwent laparotomy for an 'acute abdomen' with an intraoperative or postoperative diagnosis of C. difficile colitis. RESULTS: All patients received antibiotics (mean 9.5 days) for other illnesses. The mean APACHE II score was 18.8 (range 8-25) and the mortality rate was 80%. Two patients had colostomies created. One patient underwent a subtotal colectomy, and another underwent a Hartmann procedure; the rest had a nontherapeutic procedure. CONCLUSION: We conclude that C. difficile colitis presenting as an 'acute abdomen' still represents a lethal entity. Patients who present with an 'acute abdomen', with a history of recent or current antibiotic intake, and without findings which mandate an exploration should have C. difficile colitis urgently excluded. Timely diagnosis of C. difficile colitis through bedside sigmoidoscopy or a CT scan could spare the critically ill patient an unneccessary and risky operation. Furthermore, if laparotomy is subsequently needed then having a preoperative diagnosis of C. difficile colitis will allow appropriate surgical therapy to be implemented.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed2006

Visceral larva migrans presenting as acute abdomen in a child.

An unusual presentation of visceral larva migrans observed in a patient is reported. A 5-year-old boy suffering fever, abdominal pain, tenderness, and rigidity in the right lower and upper quadrant of the abdomen was operated on, with the false diagnosis of acute abdomen, and exploratory surgery was carried out. The pathological examination of the liver biopsy revealed eosinophil-rich necrotizing granulomatous inflammation with Toxocara spp larva. The diagnosis was also confirmed by serologic results. Clinicians should remember that toxocaral visceral larva migrans may rarely mimic an acute abdomen and cause unnecessary operations.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed2005

Prospective study on the role of the CT scan in patients with an acute abdomen.

OBJECTIVES: Recent reports indicate that early CT scan (within 24 h) increases diagnostic accuracy, reduces hospital stay and mortality in patients with an acute abdomen. The aim of this study was to assess the surgeons' use of CT in patients with an acute abdomen and the impact of this on diagnostic accuracy and mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients older than 25 years admitted as an emergency with acute abdominal pain were prospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Two hundred and eleven patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria including 129 women and 82 men with a mean age of 62.4 years (range 27-92 years). The correct diagnosis on admission was made in 99 (47%) patients. CT was performed in 81 (38%), including 24 who had the scan performed within 24 h of admission. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CT were 86%, 79% and 84%. CT was considered to have changed clinical management in 40 patients. Fifteen patients died, and one death may have been prevented by an early CT. Five had a delay in diagnosis of a serious condition; all could have been prevented by early CT. CONCLUSION: Selective use of CT increases diagnostic accuracy and improves the management of patients with an acute abdomen. Clinical trials are necessary to assess outcome following selective vs routine use of CT in this group of patients.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Acute abdomen in patients receiving chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of acute abdomen in patients receiving chemotherapy and to evaluate the factors affecting the clinical decision-making. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of surgical oncology references for the patients developing acute abdomen while receiving chemotherapy was carried out. A surgical oncologist reviewed each referral and a full work-up was carried out. Surgical interventions were carried out as and when deemed necessary. Response to treatment, whether surgical or conservative, was used as main outcome variable. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 37 years (7-58 years). Half of the patients were receiving chemotherapy for lymphoproliferative disorders, 13 for haematological malignancies and 3 for ovarian cancer. Clinical diagnosis was of acute appendicitis in 13, paralytic ileus in 9, typhilitis in 3 and intestinal perforation in 2, acute intestinal obstruction in 3, and obstructed hernia and intussception in one each. Six patients underwent surgery. Two patients expired postoperatively of progressive septicaemia and multi-system organ failure. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of cancer patients on chemotherapy is difficult. Tenderness, presence of peritoneal signs and absence of exaggerated bowel sounds are most important clinical signs, however they may be blunted by progressive neutropenia or corticosteroid administration. Decision to operate, should be made with extreme caution as mortality and morbidity after surgery is high.

Abdomen, Acute↗