Surgical emergency

Surgical emergency is a medical emergency for which immediate surgical intervention is the only way to solve the problem successfully.

The following conditions are surgical emergencies:

• Acute trauma

Cardiothoracic

• Cardiac tamponade
• Acute airway obstruction
• Pneumothorax

Gastrointestinal

• Acute appendicitis
• Bowel obstruction
• Gastrointestinal perforation
• Intestinal volvulus
• Acute mesenteric ischemia
• Peritonitis
• Stercoral perforation

Genitourinary

• Testicular torsion
• Urinary retention
• Paraphimosis
• Priapism

Gynaecological

• Ovarian torsion
• Bleeding ectopic pregnancy
• Retained abortion

Neurological/Ophthalmic

• Acute subdural hematoma
• Retinal detachment

Vascular

• Ruptured aortic aneurysm
• Aortic dissection
• Internal bleeding
• Limb ischemia

See also

• List of medical emergencies
• Advanced Trauma Life Support

References

• Monson JRT, Duthie G, O'Malley K (Eds.). Surgical Emergencies. Blackwell Science (UK), 1999. ISBN 0-632-05047-0