Overview Higher incidence among men 40 to 59 years of age. Although there are many different types of hernias, they are usually related to the abdomen, with approximately 75% of all hernias occurring in…

Overview Diverticula of the colon consist of outpouchings of mucous membrane through the muscle wall of the bowel. In the colon, diverticula are found most commonly in the sigmoid and descending colon, and…

Overview Peptic ulcer refers to an ulcer in the lower oesophagus, stomach or duodenum. Incidence ↑ with age; both sexes are similarly affected. In the developed world, Helicobacter pylori incidence has been…

Overview Acute pancreatitis is a relatively common condition presenting with severe, acute, constant epigastric pain. Incidence of ~5 per 100,000/year. Acute pancreatitis has a significant mortality.…

Overview Acute kidney injury (AKI) (formerly acute renal failure) is the syndrome arising from a rapid fall in GFR (over hours to days). It is characterized by retention of both nitrogenous (including Urea…

Overview Cardiac arrest is a state of circulatory failure due to a loss of cardiac systolic function. It is the result of 4 specific cardiac rhythm disturbances: Epidemiology Initial Assessment and…

Overview Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot in a vein deep under the skin 25-50% of surgical patients and many non-surgical patients. 65% of DVT are below the knee are symptomatic and…

Overview Chronic pancreatitis is characterised by recurrent or persistent abdominal pain arising from the pancreas. The inflammatory process results in irreversible destruction and fibrosis of the pancreas.…

Overview Atrial fibrillation, AF is a chaotic, irregular atrial rhythm at 300-600bpm; the AV node responds intermittently, hence an irregular ventricular rate. AF is the most common sustained…

Overview Goitre refers to an enlarged thyroid gland. Thyroid nodules are common in the general population, especially in women. Goitre results from follicular cell hyperplasia at one or multiple sites within…