Resumen

OTERO, William et al. Chronic Abdominal Wall pain: An unrecognized entity with great impact in the clinical practice. Rev Col Gastroenterol [online]. 2007, vol.22, n.4, pp.261-271. ISSN 0120-9957.

Background: Chronic abdominal pain of unidentified cause (CAPUC) is frequent among the general population, and pain of the abdominal wall (CAPAW) represents a large percentage of it. Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of the Pain of Abdominal Wall in patients with Chronic Abdominal Pain of Unidentified Cause and to estimate the costs of the study of CAPUC before the diagnosis of CAPAW, and to determine the efficacy of injecting anesthetic in the trigger point. Methods: A prospective study was performed in patients with CAUPC with more than 4 weeks of evolution, the diagnosis of Pain of Abdominal Wall was made by identifying localized pain and positive Carnett´s sign. Results: 189 patients with CAPUC were enrolled; 91 out of 189 (48%) patients whose age ranged from 49 +/-15 years, had Pain of Abdominal Wall, 90% of those were women, 36 months of evolution (1-300 months). 1168 patients were seen by physician , 278 procedures performed and 14 patients were hospitalized. But when Carnett sign was taking in account, costs were reduced by 95%. The efficacy of the injection is 91%. Conclusion: CAPAW is frequently seen in patients with CAUPC. Carnett´s sign should be considered routinely to avoid unnecessary studies and the injection of the anesthetic in the positive Carnett´s point is a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in procedure.

Palabras clave : Carnett´s sign; Chronic Abdominal Pain; anterior cutaneous nerve; local injection.

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