Abdominal emergencies
Abdominal pain is a common presentation, delays in diagnosis and management can complicate the patient outcome.
Achieving the balance between safe and expedient assessment versus delay and over investigation is the key in managing abdominal pain presentations.
Specific Conditions
Red flags
History
Age>65
Immunocompromised (e.g. HIV, chronic steroid treatment, renal failure, transplant patients and cancer patients on chemotherapy)
Multiple comorbidities
Previous abdominal surgery
Cardiac disease (AF, IHD)
Alcoholism
Pregnancy
Sudden onset, sever or constant pain
Physical examination
Fever
Tachycardia, hypotension
Signs of shock
Rigid abdomen
Involuntary guarding
Paediatric Abdominal Emergencies
This clinical tool deals with surgical abdominal emergencies in adults.
Further References and Resources
Red Flag Education
An real case highlighting issues in the management of abdominal pain is detailed below:
Red flag module on abdominal pain
Relevant Patient Factsheets
- Abdominal pain
- Appendicitis
- Bleeding in early pregnancy
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea and vomiting
- Diverticular disease
- Gallstones
- Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)
- Kidney Stone
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)
Relevant Procedure Guides
- Circulation - Intraosseous access
- Circulation - Venepuncture
- Gastroenterology - Paracentesis
- Obs and Gynae - Speculum exam
- Ultrasound - Abdominal aorta
- Ultrasound - Biliary
- Ultrasound - FAST
- Ultrasound - Pregnancy (abdominal)
- Ultrasound - Renal
Original: Dr John Mackenzie
Update: Dr James Miers
Reviewer: Dr Michael Golding