Emergency Surgery

Expert emergency surgical care is available for acute abdominal and surgical conditions requiring urgent intervention. Timely surgery can be life-saving in many emergency situations.

Emergency Conditions Treated

Common surgical emergencies include:

• Appendicitis — inflammation of the appendix requiring urgent removal
• Bowel Obstruction — blockage of the intestines
• Perforated Peptic Ulcer — a hole in the stomach or duodenal lining
• Strangulated Hernia — a hernia with trapped, compromised bowel
• Abdominal Trauma — injuries to internal organs
• Acute Cholecystitis — infected, inflamed gallbladder
• Peritonitis — infection of the abdominal cavity

Appendicitis — Recognising the Signs

Appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergencies. Symptoms typically include:

• Pain starting around the belly button and moving to the lower right abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Pain that worsens with movement

If you suspect appendicitis, seek emergency medical attention immediately. A ruptured appendix can be life-threatening.

When to Seek Emergency Care

Go to the nearest emergency unit immediately if you experience:

• Sudden, severe abdominal pain
• Rigid or board-like abdomen
• Vomiting blood or passing blood rectally
• High fever with abdominal pain
• A hernia that is hard, painful and cannot be pushed back
• Signs of shock — rapid heart rate, dizziness, pale skin

Emergency Surgical Approach

Emergency teams in both Nairobi and Busia work together to ensure rapid assessment and surgical intervention. Pre-operative resuscitation and stabilisation are prioritised to ensure the safest possible surgical outcome.