Outlook

Overall, most types of pain go away without surgery, and most people need only relief from their symptoms.

Medical causes of abdominal pain generally have a good outcome, but there are exceptions.

Surgical causes of abdominal pain have varying outcomes depending on the severity of the condition and the person's underlying medical condition.

• If the patient has uncomplicated appendicitis or uncomplicated gallstones, they should recover from the surgery with no long-term problems.
  
  
• If the patient has a ruptured appendix or infected gallbladder, recovery may take longer.
  
  
• Abdominal pain from a perforated ulcer or blocked bowel may mean major surgery and a long recovery.

For problems with a major blood vessel, such as rupture or clot, the prognosis may be poor.