Abdominal pain in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome

• Published in: Annals of surgery Vol. 204; no. 6; pp. 619 - 623
• Main Authors: BARONE, J. E, GINGOLD, B. S, ARVANITIS, M. L, NEALON, T. F. JR
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott 01.12.1986
• 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; Infection; Immunopathology; Skin disease; Pain; Viral disease; AIDS; Abdomen
• ISSN: 0003-4932; 1528-1140
• DOI: 10.1097/00000658-198612000-00001

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.