The acute abdomen is a term used by surgeons to describe the abdomen in which there is pain, usually serious and often life threatening.
To develop a logical approach to the acute abdomen is to develop an approach to much of acute surgery, although it is important to remember non-surgical causes of acute abdominal pain. Rapid and accurate assessment from history and examination will suggest appropriate investigation; diagnosis will result in appropriate treatment; where the diagnosis is unclear senior referral and regular review is the key.
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