Surgery | Common Surgical Conditions | General Surgery Abdominal Pain

General Surgery: Abdominal Pain
Session Overview
Description
This session outlines an overview of the assessment of a patient presenting with abdominal pain, highlighting the salient points in history taking and examination in order to formulate an appropriate diagnosis and management plan.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Assess abdominal pain according to location
• Classify abdominal pain according to character
• Categorise abdominal pain according to associated symptoms
• Differentiate abdominal pain according to examination findings
• Investigate abdominal pain using appropriate modalities

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should (complete):

• Read up on history taking and examination skills with respect to abdominal pain
• Revise basic anatomy of the abdomen
• Familiarise yourself with common conditions which manifest as abdominal pain

Abdominal pain is the most common presenting symptom on a general surgery on call. The majority of causes can be attributed to either the gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary tract or vascular structures. However one must always consider referred pain from musculoskeletal, respiratory and cardiac sources.

A thorough and targeted history and examination is essential to elicit the nature of the pain and assist in formulating a differential diagnosis. An appropriate investigative strategy may then be established to allow prompt diagnosis and management.

This session will provide the learner with key knowledge to assist in the evaluation and management of a patient presenting with abdominal pain, with case-based assessments as experienced in the MRCS examination.