Randomized Study Evaluating the Role of Surgeon-Performed Ultrasound in the Management of the Acute Abdomen

Randomized Study Evaluating the Role of Surgeon-Performed Ultrasound in the Management of the Acute Abdomen

Randomized Study Evaluating the Role of Surgeon-Performed Ultrasound in the Management of the Acute Abdomen

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether surgeon-performed ultrasound as a supplement to clinical investigation when a patient presents with abdominal pain in the emergency department can improve the management of the patient.

Surgeon-performed ultrasound bedside in the emergency department when a patient presents with abdominal pain is quite common in Continental Europe and USA. It is considered to be implemented at emergency departments all over Sweden. This is the first randomized study performed to evaluate the method. In our study we compare diagnostic accuracy and further management of patients admitted to the emergency department for abdominal pain, with or without examination with surgeon-performed ultrasound bedside.

Surgeon-performed ultrasound as intervention, as a complement to clinical investigation and standardized laboratory testing.

After clinical investigation including standardized laboratory tests the patient in the intervention arm is examined with abdominal ultrasound performed by the study surgeon.

Time consumption in emergency department Time to decision about surgical intervention Amount of complementary examinations Amount of hospital admissions Patient satisfaction in the emergency ward and at follow up Consumption of health care

Inclusion Criteria: Admitted to emergency ward for abdominal pain 18 years or older Exclusion Criteria: Pregnancy Condition that has to be taken care of immediately Inability to communicate with the investigator Previously diagnosed abdominal condition Severe drug or alcohol addiction Dementia

Lindelius A, Torngren S, Nilsson L, Pettersson H, Adami J. Randomized clinical trial of bedside ultrasound among patients with abdominal pain in the emergency department: impact on patient satisfaction and health care consumption. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2009 Nov 27;17:60. doi: 10.1186/1757-7241-17-60.

Lindelius A, Torngren S, Pettersson H, Adami J. Role of surgeon-performed ultrasound on further management of patients with acute abdominal pain: a randomised controlled clinical trial. Emerg Med J. 2009 Aug;26(8):561-6. doi: 10.1136/emj.2008.062067.