[Traumatic rupture of the duodenum in adults. Clinicopathologic and therapeutic considerations. Apropos of 9 cases]

Injuries to the duodenum are rare and their treatment is controversial. We have wanted to assess the results of treatment in 9 cases of duodenal trauma operated successively. 6 patients were operated at once because of associated lesions producing a state of shock. The other 3 had isolate lesions and were all operated after a waiting time. 5 patients had a simple suture after excision of the margins of the wound. 2 underwent controlled fistulization on a Pezzer probe associated to a feeding jejunostomy. In 2 cases, papillar disinsertion was treated by cupping the papilla with an ascended loop and by temporary pyloric exclusion. No patient died after surgery, and no duodenal fistula was noted. In case of controlled fistulization, the scar was obtained within 21 days. We think that duodenal wounds examined early can readily be sutured if there is no loss of substance. When the duodenal wound is isolate, the delay in treatment leads us to prefer controlled fistulization associated to feeding jejunostomy.