Acute abdomen
Formal Definition
Sudden, severe abdominal pain that may require emergency surgical intervention. A clinical emergency.
How It's Used on the Ward
"This is a surgical abdomen" = this patient likely needs to go to the OR.
Example
""Rigid abdomen, rebound tenderness, involuntary guarding. This is an acute abdomen. Get surgery on the phone and a CT with contrast now.""
Clinical Context
Recognizing a surgical abdomen is a high-stakes clinical skill. Peritonitis, perforation, and bowel obstruction are classic causes.
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