[Diagnosis and treatment of acute surgical abdomen in Koutiala]

To describe the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of acute surgical abdomens at the Koutiala Reference Health Center.

This was a prospective and descriptive study from August 1, 2017 to May 31, 2018. It included all patients operated on for acute abdomen in the General Surgery Department of the Koutiala Reference Health Center. The study did not include the nonoperated surgical acute abdomens, the non-surgical acute abdomens. Clavien-Dindo classification was used to evaluate complications.

One hundred patients were registered. Acute surgical abdomens accounted for 8.4% of consultations (n = 1190), 27.7% of surgical procedures (n = 361) and 70% of surgical emergencies (n = 142). The average age was 34.4 years ± 18.5. Men were in the majority with 70%. The mean duration of change in symptomatology was 4.8 days ± 5.4. Patients consulted for abdominal pain (100%), fever (60%), vomiting (88%) and discontinuation of materials and gases (32%). The physical examination noted abdominal distension (53%), abdominal contracture (36%), abdominal defense (56%) and pain in the cul de sac of Douglas (95%). X-rays of the abdomen without preparation and abdominopelvic ultrasonography contributed to the diagnosis in 46% of cases and 18% of cases, respectively. Acute appendicitis (35%) was the most common etiology followed by acute peritonitis (31%) and acute intestinal obstruction (15%). We performed an appendectomy in 45 patients (45%), resection anastomosis (15%) and excision-suture (13%). The average duration of hospitalization was 4.7 days. The morbidity was 12%. According to the Clavien-Dindo classification, 9 patients were grade III and 3 grade V. The mortality was 3%.

Acute surgical abdomens are the most common emergencies in our practice. The diagnosis is clinical and para-clinical most often. Morbidity and mortality remain elevated. The outcome of treatment depends on early management and mastery of abdominal surgery techniques.