Pancreatic trauma in children

The aim of this study was to determine the etiology, associated injuries, and outcome of children with pancreatic injuries.

A retrospective review was conducted of children under 16 years with pancreatic trauma admitted to the Children's Hospital at Westmead (CHW) from January 1983 to September 2002. Deaths were reported to the New South Wales Paediatric Trauma Death Registry (State Registry) from January 1988 to September 2002.

Sixty-five cases were identified: 46 patients were admitted to CHW, and 22 deaths were reported to the State Registry (including 3 deaths at CHW). The median age was 6 years (range, 1 to 14 years). Boys accounted for 60% (n = 40) of cases, decreasing to 50% (n = 11) of those that died. Motor vehicle injuries (MVI) were the most common mechanism, accounting for 40% of survivors and 77% of those who died. Children were restrained incorrectly in 48% of all cases and in 67% of those who died. Significantly more children who died had head, chest, and abdominal visceral injuries, compared with those who survived. Death occurred as a result of head injuries in 68%, with only 3 deaths directly attributed to pancreatico-duodenal injuries.

Pancreatic injuries remain uncommon in children. The most frequent mechanism was MVI, with incorrect use of passenger restraints an important contributing factor. Whereas mortality was mainly caused by other injuries, 3 deaths were directly attributable to pancreato-duodenal trauma.