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Current Approaches to the Management of Acute Surgical and Medical Emergencies: A Structured Narrative Review

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: Acute surgical and medical emergencies constitute a major cause of morbidity and mortality, placing demands on healthcare systems due to sudden onset, rapid progression, and the requirement for immediate intervention. Optimal outcomes depend on early recognition, structured assessment, and coordinated multidisciplinary care involving emergency medicine, surgical teams, and critical care services. This structured narrative review provides an evidence-informed overview of contemporary approaches to the assessment, diagnosis, and management of acute surgical and medical emergencies, with emphasis on clinically applicable pathways. The review addresses key domains including epidemiology and risk stratification, principles of initial assessment and stabilisation, and diagnostic strategies incorporating laboratory biomarkers and advanced imaging modalities. Management of common acute surgical and medical emergencies is examined, alongside current pharmacological interventions such as antimicrobial therapy, analgesia, sedation, and anticoagulation within high-acuity settings. The role of interdisciplinary integration, post-intervention monitoring, and timely escalation of care is highlighted as a determinant of continuity and outcome optimisation. Emerging innovations, including artificial intelligence-based clinical decision support systems, tele-emergency medicine, and minimally invasive emergency procedures, are discussed for their potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy, triage efficiency, and therapeutic precision. Persistent challenges include heterogeneous presentations, inconsistent guideline implementation, and unequal access to emergency services. Future efforts should prioritize standardized pathways, validated technologies, and integrated care models.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.107799

Authors: Sanjit Prasad, Pooja Verma, Fidvi Fazal, Parv Rasiklal Raiyani, Marripati Sneha Priya, Tushar Harivadan Shah