Peritonitis Case Study

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ACUTE ABDOMEN
Description
Acute abdomen typically refers to a sudden and severe abdominal pain of unclear etiology that is less than 24 hours in duration. Sometimes it may also be referred to as “Peritonitis” due to the inflammation of the peritoneum (abdominal cavity). Abdominal pain can occur due to variety of medical and surgical causes. It is considered as a medical emergency and requires urgent diagnosis by eliciting a detailed clinical history and thereby performing abdominal examination to determine the cause of pain. Several causes may need surgical treatment. In very severe cases, it may be necessary to give treatment before proper history can be obtained or examination is allowed by the patient.

Causes
Abdominal causes
1. Inflammation of peritoneum due …show more content…

• Special analysis like serum lead estimations may be needed, if necessary.
2. Radiological investigations include
• Radiographs of abdomen, supine and chest.
• Ultrasound
• Computed tomography
• Special radiological investigations may be done as and when required.
3. Invasive procedures like endoscopy and laparoscopy are done only if indicated.
4. It may be necessary to rush the patient to operation room, if there is suggestion of intra-abdominal haemorrhage along with pain. Any delay for history, examination and investigations can cause more harm to the patient.

Treatment
Treatment of acute abdomen depends upon the cause of pain. The most common medication includes Inj. Diclofenac sodium 75 mg IM for pain relief. Any patient who does not respond to the pain relief, or if pain reappears, then he is referred to a surgeon for further evaluation.
Surgical
Any acute surgical causes of acute abdomen like perforation peritonitis, appendicitis, perforation of ulcer, etc. are treated surgically.

Management
1. Analgesics should not be administered for acute abdomen. This may delay treatment of surgical

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