PATTERN OF ABDOMINAL DISEASES PRESENTING TO SURGEONS: A DISTRICT GENERAL HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE IN ENGLAND

Background: General surgeons frequently come across patients with abdominal diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine the pattern of abdominal diseases in general surgical field in England. Material and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in the General Surgical Unit at Barnsley District General Hospital, NHS Trust, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England, from July 17, 2006 to August 16, 2006. Adult patients presenting to general surgical clinics were studied. The data was collected in the form of histories of patients and detailed review of their clinical records. Results: During the study period 120 adult patients were observed; out of which 73 were having abdominal problems; 27 (37%) males and 46 (63%) females. Among these, 22 (30.13%) patients had herniae; 17 (77.27%) inguinal and 5 (22.72%) para-umbilical. Thirteen (17.80%) patients had cholecystitis, 11 (15.06%) haemorrhoids, 6 (8.21%) diverticular disease, 6 (8.21%) ulcerative colitis, 5 (6.84%) irritable bowel syn- drome and 4 (5.47%) crohn’s disease. Three (4.10%) patients were having gastric carcinoma, 2 (2.73%) colonic carcinoma and 1 (1.36%) carcinoid tumor. Conclusion: Herniae are the most common abdominal disorders presenting to general surgeons in En- gland. Cholecystitis and haemorrhoids are the next common conditions. Malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract is also not rare.