International Journal of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Background: Acute abdomen is one of the most challenging acute emergency situation in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology. It is the sudden onset of severe pain in the abdominal region which is associated with vomiting, abdominal distension, diarrhoea and constipation. If the diagnosis got delayed results in life threatening lethal mortality and morbidity. For diagnosing the acute abdominal emergencies we require good clinical examination and various diagnostic modalities including USG, X-Ray, CT abdomen and MRI. The treatment is mainly depends on the clinical diagnosis at the time of admission and the hemodynamic status of the patient at the health care institute.
Methods: The present study was conducted on a prospective observational basis over the period from May 2023 to April 2024 in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Chengalpattu Medical College and Hospital, Tamil Nadu, India.
Results: Among the 40 women’s studied the incidence of acute abdominal emergency 0.002 in Chengalpattu Medical College. With acute abdomen during pregnancy of these 22 women had obstetric cause of acute abdomen which is accounts for 55% of the cases. The remaining 18 patients of 45% are due to non-obstetric causes of acute abdominal emergencies. Among the non-obstetric cause highest is being acute appendicitis 7 cases (17.5%), cholecystitis 2 cases and splenic rupture 2 cases were equal contributors both sharing around (5%) each, Hydroureteronephrosis1 case, Appendicular perforation 1 case, Acute pancreatitis 1 case, Fibroid uterus 1 case all shares about (2.5%) each. The most common obstetric cause was ectopic pregnancy 19 cases (48%) with higher incidence in Second gravidas (55%) than primi gravidas (27.5%). The incidence was higher in the age group between 20-25 years 22 cases is (55%) and in 25-30 years of age 9 cases the incidence is 22.5% the incidence is very low in < 20 years of age which is about 4 cases(10%). Gynaecological conditions accounted for 10% of the cases equally shared by fibroid uterus, ovarian torsion and ruptured follicular cyst of pregnancy. All these womens were saved from life threatening morbidity without any mortality because of early identification with resuscitation and management.
Conclusion: Improving the conditions of peripheral healthcare centres with facilities such as specialist doctors and proper transportation is crucial. Equally important is raising awareness among the population and fostering a proactive attitude to ensure early referrals to these centres, ultimately enhancing pregnancy outcomes.