Profile of Acute Abdomen Presentations and Surgical Outcomes at Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State

Acute abdomen constitutes one of the most challenging diagnostic and surgical emergencies encountered in Nigerian district and federal medical centres, where limited imaging infrastructure and delayed patient presentation significantly influence outcomes. This study profiles the clinical presentations, operative findings, and surgical outcomes of acute abdomen cases at the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, in North West Nigeria. A retrospective cross-sectional design is applied to surgical records from 2019 to 2023. Data include patient demographics, symptom duration, physical examination findings, preoperative investigations, surgical diagnosis, operative procedure, postoperative complications, and in-hospital mortality. SPSS is used for analysis. Regional surgical literature from North West Nigeria identifies perforated peptic ulcers, intestinal obstruction from adhesions and hernias, and appendicitis as the most common acute abdomen diagnoses, with perforation-related peritonitis carrying the highest mortality. The APACHE II score and ASA classification guide severity stratification in the study. Findings will inform the surgical unit in developing diagnostic algorithms for resource-limited acute abdomen assessment and in strengthening perioperative care protocols. Keywords: acute abdomen, surgical emergencies, peritonitis, Kebbi State, North West Nigeria.