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UC Irvine Healthcare’s acute care surgeons provide the best operative care available. Once patients undergo surgery, they are transferred to one of our specialized intensive care units (ICU), where they continue to receive medical attention from members of the acute care surgery team. Our intensive care units (ICU’s) include:

• Surgical ICU
• Neurosurgical ICU
• Pediatric ICU
• Burn ICU

Conditions seen by acute care surgery services include:

Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain can come from a variety of problems, many of which may require surgery. Early evaluation and rapid management by an acute care surgery (ACS) team may offer the best chance for a good outcome. A few causes of abdominal pain are listed below.

Gallbladder Disease
The gallbladder is an organ located under the liver, which can suffer a variety of disorders. Most commonly, the patient will feel pain in the middle or right upper abdomen. These symptoms can last a few hours or can evolve into serious complications such as pancreatitis or cholecystitis. While the surgical management of these problems can often be postponed, early evaluation and management by an ACS team may be the optimal approach.

Appendicitis
The appendix is an organ that extends off the colon and is located in the right lower abdomen. Obstruction of the appendix can lead to inflammation, infection and ultimately, perforation. Early intervention by an ACS team has been shown to decrease perforation rates and complications from appendicitis.

Pancreatitis
The pancreas is a gland located in the posterior upper abdomen. Inflammation of the pancreas, or pancreatitis, can become life threatening. Gallbladder disease, alcohol use, or pancreatic tumors are all possible causes. Aggressive early management is essential to decrease complication.