title: [The concept of the acute abdomen].
abstract: The term "acute abdomen" stands for a group of abdominal symptoms which rapidly get worse and therefore require immediate treatment--especially conditions associated with peritonitis, ileus or massive bleeding. No time should be wasted on lengthy diagnosis or organizational problems. In the majority of cases a simple clinical diagnosis gives sufficient indication for surgery. Various manifestations simulating acute abdomen in children are discussed in order to prevent unnecessary laparotomy.
authors.affiliation: Kinderchirurgische Universitätsklinik Mainz, Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hofmann-von Kap-herr
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D013502:General Surgery; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery
vernacular_title: Zum Begriff des akuten Abdomens.