Blunt abdominal trauma and hollow viscus injury in children: the diagnostic value of plain radiography

1984 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 304-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Zahran ◽  
O. Eklöf ◽  
B. Thomasson
2019 ◽  
Vol 101 (8) ◽  
pp. 552-557
Author(s):  
W Bekker ◽  
MTD Smith ◽  
VY Kong ◽  
JL Bruce ◽  
G Laing ◽  
...  

Introduction The clinical significance of isolated free fluid on abdominal computed tomography (CT) in patients with blunt abdominal trauma is unclear. This audit reviews our unit’s experience with isolated free fluid and attempts to refine our clinical algorithms for the assessment of patients with blunt abdominal trauma. Materials and methods All patients who sustained blunt abdominal trauma between December 2012 and December 2017 who were subjected to multidetector CT of the abdomen as part of their initial investigation were included in this study. Results During the five-year period under review, a total of 1066 patients underwent abdominal CT following blunt poly trauma. A total of 84 (7.9%) patients died. There were 148 (14%) patients with CT finding of isolated free fluid. Of these, 128 (67%) were selected for non-operative management, which included a period of serial abdominal examinations. In this non-operative group, five patients failed their abdominal observations and underwent laparotomy. Findings in these five cases were negative (1), non-therapeutic (1), splenic injury (1), Pancreatic and splenic injury (1) and bladder injury (1). Thirteen patients (10%) died, none of whom had surgery. The causes of death were exsanguination from a major traumatic lower limb injury (1), multiple organ failure (1), traumatic brain injury (10) and spinal cord injury (1). The remaining 20 patients underwent laparotomy. The indications were failed non-operative management (5), abdominal distension (1) and suspicion of a missed hollow viscus injury (14). In this group there were 11 therapeutic and 6 non-therapeutic surgeries and three negative laparotomies. For the 15 patients selected for operative management, the findings were as follows: hollow viscus injury (3), mesenteric bleeds (2), splenic and pancreatic injury (1), liver and bladder injury (1), splenic and bladder injury (1), non-therapeutic (4), negative (3). The finding of isolated free fluid on CT is 98% sensitive and 96% specific for true isolated free fluid (chi square 331.598; P = 0.000). This finding predicts successful non-operative management with a positive predictive value of 93% and a negative predictive value of 96%. Discussion In patients with blunt abdominal trauma, the finding of isolated free fluid on abdominal CT alone is no longer an indication for laparotomy. Other clinical factors must be taken into account when deciding on the need for laparotomy, such as haemodynamic status, clinical abdominal findings and the ability to reliably assess the abdomen. In the absence of a clinical indication for urgent laparotomy, patients with isolated free fluid may be observed.


Author(s):  
Michael L. Nance ◽  
Gerald W. Peden ◽  
Michael B. Shapiro ◽  
Donald R. Kauder ◽  
Michael F. Rotondo ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Pande ◽  
A Saratzis ◽  
J Winter Beatty ◽  
C Doran ◽  
R Kirby ◽  
...  

INTRODUCTION Blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) is a common injury in recent trauma series. The characteristics of patients with BAT have changed following the reconfiguration of UK trauma services. The aim of this study was to build a new profile for BAT patients undergoing immediate or delayed laparotomy. METHODS All 5,401 consecutive adults presenting with major trauma between April 2012 and April 2014 in the 3 major trauma centres in the West Midlands were analysed to identify all patients with BAT. A total of 2,793 patients with a mechanism of injury or symptomatology consistent with BAT were identified (52%). Outcomes were analysed using local electronic clinical results systems and notes. RESULTS Of the 2,793 patients, 179 (6.4%) had a mesenteric or hollow viscus injury, 168 (6.0%) had a hepatobiliary injury, 149 (5.4%) had a splenic injury and 46 (1.6%) had a vascular injury. Overall, 103 patients (3.7%) underwent an early (<12 hours) laparotomy while 30 (1.1%) underwent a delayed (>12 hours) laparotomy. Twenty (66.7%) of those undergoing a delayed laparotomy had a hollow viscus injury. In total, 170 deaths occurred among the BAT patients (6.1%). In the early laparotomy group, 53 patients died (51.5%) whereas in the delayed laparotomy group, 6 patients died (20.0%). CONCLUSIONS This series has attempted to provide the characteristics of patients with BAT in a large contemporary UK cohort. BAT was found to be a common type of injury. Early and delayed laparotomy occurred in 3.7% and 1.1% of these patients respectively, mostly because of hollow viscus injury in both cases. Outcomes were comparable with those in the international literature from regions with mature trauma services.


2012 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Savitha Bhagvan ◽  
Matthew Turai ◽  
Andrew Holden ◽  
Alexander Ng ◽  
Ian Civil

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