Treatment and Resuscitation of the Patient with Acute Abdominal Pain

Abstract

Provision of airway patency, effective breathing and gas exchange and circulatory functions producing adequate perfusion (ABC) are vital elements in all emergent and critical patients. Initial resuscitation should begin with control in a primary survey both in the field and in the hospital in the management of the patients with abdominal pain. In a patient whose respiratory patency is under threat, evaluation and management of the inflammatory process in the abdomen should not be considered before this is resolved. Differential diagnosis and proper management of abdominal pain follow the primary survey, resuscitation and resolution of vital threats. IV fluid therapy and pain management are commenced as prompted by the general condition. Prehospital providers should operate in communication with the command control center in this context. “Tubes or fingers for all orifices” can be accepted as a general approach for the moribund patient to monitor the clinical course. In the hospital, the emergency physician should relieve the pain expediently after evaluating and recording the initial vital signs and findings on systemic examination. Antiemetic therapy and other symptomatic measures should be individualized for the given patient.