THE PATTERN AND OUTCOME OF SURGICALLY TREARED NON TRAUMATIC SURGICAL ACUTE ABDOMEN IN SPHMMC. ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA FROM SEP TO AUG 2009 E.C.

Abstract

Abstract Background: Surgical acute abdomen is one of commonly encountered emergencies in the practice of general Surgery. However, there was not much study done regarding the pattern and outcomes of acute abdomen in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. Objective: to determine the pattern and outcomes of surgically treated acute abdomen in SPHMMC. Method: The study was a retrospective study conducted on 274 adult patients admitted with acute abdomen in SPHMMC from September 1, 2009 to August 30,2009E.C. Variables were demographical data, clinical features, and causes of acute abdomen, immediate complication and outcomes of the surgical management of acute abdomen. The data collected processed using SPSS version 21 software. Result: There were 274 patients of which 141(51.5%) were males and 133(48.5%) were females. Abdominal pain (100%) and Vomiting (76.6%) were most common complaints. Acute appendicitis was most common cause accounting for 69.7 % of the patients, followed by intestinal obstruction (17.1%). Surgical site infection and Hospital acquired pneumonia were most common postoperative complication. Conclusion: Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdomen. Surgical site infection and hospital acquired pneumonia were the commonest postoperative complication. Early diagnosis, adequate preoperative and postoperative care may help to reduce the postoperative complication.