Abdominal pain in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome

The patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and abdominal pain presents the surgeon with a difficult challenge. The pain may be due to an opportunistic infection, ileus, organomegaly, or a true surgical emergency. The hospital records of 235 patients with AIDS were reviewed. Of the 2...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of surgery 1986-12, Vol.204 (6), p.619-623
Main Authors: BARONE, J. E, GINGOLD, B. S, ARVANITIS, M. L, NEALON, T. F. JR
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abdomen
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - complications
Adult
AIDS/HIV
Applied sciences
Biological and medical sciences
Emergencies
Exact sciences and technology
Female
Gastrointestinal Diseases - complications
Gastrointestinal Diseases - diagnosis
Gastrointestinal Diseases - surgery
Hepatomegaly - complications
Humans
Immunodeficiencies
Immunodeficiencies. Immunoglobulinopathies
Immunopathology
Infection - complications
Intestinal Obstruction - complications
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Other techniques and industries
Pain - etiology
Splenomegaly - complications
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Description
Summary:The patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and abdominal pain presents the surgeon with a difficult challenge. The pain may be due to an opportunistic infection, ileus, organomegaly, or a true surgical emergency. The hospital records of 235 patients with AIDS were reviewed. Of the 29 patients with abdominal pain, 12 had infectious diarrhea, eight were diagnosed as having ileus or organomegaly, and nine had miscellaneous causes for their pain. Only five patients underwent laparotomy. Two patients were operated on for pain associated with bleeding (Meckel's diverticulum and intestinal Kaposi's sarcoma); one had a perforated duodenal ulcer and one had severe ileitis. One patient was electively operated on for Burkitt's lymphoma. Laparotomy for abdominal pain is not usually necessary in patients with AIDS. Specific recommendations for evaluation and management of these patients are offered.
ISSN:0003-4932
1528-1140
DOI:10.1097/00000658-198612000-00001