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Related Concept Videos

Muscles of the Abdomen01:21

Muscles of the Abdomen

The abdominal wall encircles the abdominal cavity, providing flexible protection and shielding the internal organs from harm. It is bordered at the top by the xiphoid process and costal margins, at the back by the vertebral column, and at the bottom by the pelvic bones and inguinal ligament. The abdominal wall is divided into two regions — the anterolateral and posterior regions.
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Assessment of the Abdomen II: Percussion01:18

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Percussion is a fundamental technique used to assess the liver, spleen, and abdominal organs by tapping the abdomen and interpreting the resulting sounds. This method helps identify fluid, distention, and masses through variations in sound, such as the high-pitched tympany of air-filled areas and the dullness of solid masses. Understanding how to percuss these organs provides valuable information for healthcare professionals in diagnosing conditions early.
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Abdominal Regions and Quadrants01:19

Abdominal Regions and Quadrants

To promote clear communication, for instance, about the location of a patient's abdominal pain or a suspicious mass, anatomists and clinicians typically use imaginary lines to categorize the abdominopelvic cavity into either four quadrants or nine regions to identify organs in the cavity.
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Introduction
The abdominal examination is a cornerstone of clinical medicine, serving as a critical tool in diagnosing various gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. It involves a systematic approach that includes inspection and auscultation, each with distinct yet complementary roles in assessing the abdomen. This article will delve into these two primary methods healthcare professionals use to examine the abdomen.
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Assessment of the Abdomen III: Palpation01:23

Assessment of the Abdomen III: Palpation

Palpation is a crucial tactile examination method for assessing abdominal organs and detecting conditions like tenderness, distention, masses, or fluid. It involves both light and deep palpation techniques, each serving specific diagnostic purposes. Light palpation helps identify tenderness and other surface-level indicators, while deep palpation locates and assess abdominal masses and organ boundaries. A skilled professional can gather valuable insights through palpation, including evaluating...

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Deep Neuromuscular Blockade Leads to a Larger Intraabdominal Volume During Laparoscopy
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Transversus abdominis plane block: a systematic review.

Faraj W Abdallah1, Vincent W Chan, Richard Brull

  • 1Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
|January 31, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block shows promise for postoperative pain relief after abdominal surgery. However, optimal surgical procedures, anesthetic dose, technique, and timing for TAP block remain unclear, limiting its widespread application.

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Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Surgical Pain Management

Background:

  • Ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is increasingly used for postoperative analgesia.
  • Existing literature presents inconsistent results regarding TAP block efficacy across different abdominal surgeries.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review randomized trials and clarify the impact of surgical procedure, local anesthetic dose, block technique, and timing on TAP block analgesia.
  • To address inconsistencies in comparative studies of TAP block outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of 18 intermediate- to good-quality randomized trials.
  • Analysis of studies involving diverse surgical procedures and varying TAP block parameters.

Main Results:

  • Improved analgesia observed in specific procedures like colorectal laparotomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and appendectomy.
  • A trend towards better outcomes with local anesthetic volumes of 15 mL or more per side.
  • Positive analgesic effects noted for TAP block in the triangle of Petit and along the midaxillary line.
  • Preincisional TAP block demonstrated superior analgesic outcomes compared to postincisional block in most trials.

Conclusions:

  • While many trials suggest superior early pain control with TAP block, definitive optimal parameters remain elusive.
  • Further research is needed to establish the ideal surgical procedures, dosing, techniques, and timing for maximizing TAP block analgesia.
  • Current understanding of TAP block's role in clinical practice requires further development.