ABSTRACT
An acute abdomen is defined as a condition associated with abdominal pain that requires surgical consultation. The peritoneal membrane comprises a single layer of mesothelial cells associated with supporting connective tissue. It has a visceral component that covers the intra-abdominal organs and a parietal part that faces the abdominal wall. Localised peritonitis occurs when there is inflammation of a discrete area inside the abdomen. If this develops insidiously the area may become walled off from its surroundings. Peritonism refers to the clinical signs of a patient with peritonitis. When any inflammation occurs inside the abdominal cavity it is initially poorly localised because the affected visceral peritoneum is innervated by the autonomic nervous system, resulting in central abdominal pain. Increasing age, female sex, obesity, pregnancy, western 'meat-rich' diet, hypertriglyceridaemia, chronic liver disease, terminal ileal dysfunction, haemolytic disease, drugs, biliary tract infection.
