title: [Rules and procedures in the diagnosis and medical (non-surgical) treatment of acute abdomen].
abstract: The acute abdomen is due to a medical disorder or surgical problems. Diagnosis is often difficult; acute diseases of the lung, chest, kidney, for example, may closely mimic primary diseases of the abdomen and can masquerade as surgical abdomen. The history assumes overwhelming importance, a careful physical examination is absolutely essential. It is incumbent upon the physician first to decide what is the most likely diagnosis to be correct; and then to undertake treatment indicated for that diagnosis. The laboratory studies, x-ray studies, echography, abdominal paracentesis and other diagnostic approaches may be indicated, when the diagnosis may still be obscure. In the course of the investigation of a patient with acute abdomen, the immediate goals are the correction of dehydration, electrolyte depletion and other problems. It is extremely important that no analgesics or sedatives ever be given until a decision is made as to a proper working diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Médico Gastroenterólogo del Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, IPSS, Lima, Peru.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Frisancho
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D006801:Humans
vernacular_title: Normas y procedimientos en el diágnostico y tratamiento del abdomen agudo médico (no quirúrgico).