Ultrasound scans done by surgeons for patients with acute abdominal pain: a prospective study

• Published in: The European journal of surgery 1999-10, Vol.165 (10), p.966-970
• Main Authors: Allemann, Florin, Cassina, Paolo, Röthlin, Markus, Largiadèr, Felix
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abdomen, Acute - diagnostic imaging; Abdomen, Acute - etiology; Abdomen, Acute - surgery; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Care Team; Prospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 1102-4151; 1741-9271
• DOI: 10.1080/110241599750008099

Objective: To evaluate the routine use of abdominal ultrasonography (US) in patients admitted to the surgical emergency unit with acute abdominal pain. Design: Prospective study with a three‐step evaluation of patients over a 12‐month period. Setting: University hospital, Switzerland. Subjects: 496 patients (male/female = 234/262; mean age 45 years) who presented with acute abdominal pain. Interventions: Every patient underwent routine investigations and had an abdominal US by the attending surgeon. Main outcome measures: Clinical diagnosis, post‐ultrasonography diagnosis and final diagnosis. Results: US improved the correct diagnostic rate from 348 (70%) to 414 (83%). The diagnostic accuracy for acute appendicitis and biliary tract disease improved after US from 455 (92%) to 488 (98%) and from 463 (93%) to 490 (99%), respectively; the corresponding sensitivities and specificities were 91% and 99% and 94% and 99%. Conclusions: Ultrasonography should be part of routine surgical investigation and should be mastered and used by surgeons. Copyright © 1999 Taylor and Francis Ltd.