[Basic studies on abdominal injuries. Part 1: Degree of depression of abdominal wall by compression]

The degree of depression of the abdominal surface by compression was measured in 121 healthy adult male having an average age of 20.4 years. Three disks of different sizes (10, 25, and 45 mm in diameter) were attached to the edge of the baresthesiometer, and pressures of 1, 3 and 5 kg were applied to the 10 mm disk, and 1, 3, 5, and 7 kg to the other disks. The regions tested were the medial abdomen approximately 2 cm above the umbilicus and the left and right flanks at the level of umbilicus. The higher the pressure administered, the greater the depression formed on each disk. Severe pain occurred in the nonanesthetized person, and it was difficult to increase the pressure to a higher level than 7 kg. At each pressure, the smallest disk produced larger depression than did the other two. The degree of depression was related to the total pressure administered rather than to the amount of pressure per unit area. The distribution of measured value was shown to be normal. After the largest depression for each region had been determined, a pressure of 7 kg was imposed on the 25-mm disk. On the medial abdomen, the anatomical position generated a mean depression of 6.3 cm, and the spine position a depression of 5.04 cm. On the flank, mean value of the depression was approximately 5.7 cm, and did not differ between the anatomical and supine positions and between the right and left flanks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)