Abdominal Inspection | Renal Exam - MedSchool
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Inspect the abdomen for skin changes, scars, distension or visible masses.
The Patient
The Hands
The Arms
The Face
The Neck
The Chest
The Back
The Abdomen
The Legs
 

Abdominal Inspection

 
 
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On this page:Abdominal ScarsAbdominal Distension

Overview

  • Inspect the abdomen for skin changes, scars, distension or visible masses.

Abdominal Scars

  • Scars on the abdomen can suggest past surgery, trauma, burns and healed skin conditions.
    • Abdominal Scars

    • Common Abdominal Surgical Scars

    • A
      Midline laparotomy: xiphoid process to above or below the umbilicusMost abdominal procedures
    • B
      Paramedian: either side of the midlineLateral structures - kidney, adrenals, spleen
    • C
      Subcostal: diagonally and parallel to the costal margin on either side.Gallbladder, biliary tract, spleen
    • D
      Chevron: bilateral subcostal incision meeting in the midlineGastrectomy, B/L adrenalectomy, liver surgery
    • E
      Loin: transverse, from lateral mid-abdomen to flankKidneys
    • F
      McBurney’s: oblique incision made two thirds of the way fromthe umbilicus to the right anterior superior iliac spine.Appendicectomy
    • G
      Lanz: transverse incision across McBurney’s pointAppendicectomy (better scar healing)
    • H
      Pfannenstiel: long, convex incision along the suprapubic creaseLower GIT, urinary tract, reproductive organs incl. caesarean
    • Laparoscopy: 3-4 small incisions on the abdomen; one at the umbilicus.Laparoscopic procedures

Abdominal Distension

    • Interpretation

    • FatCentral obesity
    • FaecesLifestyle, age, obstruction, drugs, endocrine / neurological
    • FlatusIrritable bowel syndrome, mechanical or paralytic gut obstruction
    • FluidAscites, blood, pus, urine, bile, lymph, enteric contents
    • FoetusPregnancy
    • MassCancer, abscess, abdominal wall fibrosis
Last updated on November 28th, 2019
 
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