Mainly face to face tutoring, but also distant learning can be provided.   

Power point presentation and links to videos

Final assessment is oral, in Greek or English.

The students’ level of participation throughout the entire course is also evaluated  

Learning outcomes, course outline

Acute abdomen is a presenting symptom of many surgical but also medical conditions that requires immediate diagnosis and management. This course intends to provide students with all the necessary information and knowledge to enable them in the diagnostic approach and management of  patients with acute abdomen. Students are trained to develop their clinical skills starting from history and physical, differential diagnosis, managing the patient in the emergency department, requiring the appropriate diagnostic modality and consulting the appropriate specialty when needed. They are encouraged to develop deductive thinking and implement high and updated level of recommended management in clinical practice. Alternative recommended solutions-for diagnosis and management- depending on availability of resources in various occupational environments, are also discussed. Continuous interaction is expected and encouraged throughout the entire course.

Students will be faced with real life scenarios from patients admitted from the Emergency Department the University Surgical Department.

General Abilities

Research, analysis and synthesis of data and information, using the necessary technologies Adaptation to new situations

Decision making

Autonomous work Teamwork

Working in an international environment Work in an interdisciplinary environment

Respect for diversity and multiculturalism Demonstration of social, professional and moral responsibility and sensitivity in gender issues

Exercise criticism and self-criticism 

1.Definition of acute abdomen

2Causes of acute abdomen

2.History and physical examination (with links to videos for various clinical signs)

3. Laboratory tests and diagnostic modalities.

4.Surgical anatomy of the abdominal area

5.Peritonitis –classifications:localized –generalized. –primary, secondary-tertiary

4 Differential diagnosis of localized acute abdominal pain: right upper quadrant, left upper quadrant, epigastric and periumbilical area right and left iliac fossa pain, extraabdominal causes of acute abdomen (tables with causes)

6.Commonest surgical diseases presenting with acute abdomen (surgical anatomy ,cause, pathogenesis, presentation, diagnostic modalities, diagnostic approach/algorithms, management)

Acute appendicitis

Acute diverticulitis (“ ………and grading …)

Small bowel obstruction

Large bowel obstruction

Acute megacolon

Acute mesenteric ischemia

Acute cholecystitis

Acute pancreatitis

Peptic ulcer disease

Laparoscopy in the acute abdomen

Endoscopy in the acute abdomen

Acute abdomen and pregnancy

Elderly patients and acute abdomen

7.Extraabdominal causes of acute abdomen

8.Management of patients with acute abdomen in the Emergency Department

9.Patient scenarios: students are asked to perform as if in the emergency department and come up with their diagnostic approach and management in detail

The material of the course is handed to the students (power point presentation).The presentation is detailed and bilingual and is updated with new information every year.