Management of duodenal injuries

Between 1975 and 1986, 42 patients with duodenal trauma were seen at six major hospitals serving the province of Saskatchewan. Twenty-six patients had blunt trauma and 16 penetrating trauma. The mean age of the patients was 25 years and 38 were male. An assessment of patient management revealed an unacceptable rate of duodenal fistulas (17%) and death (14%). Detailed analysis suggests that duodenal injuries must be diagnosed early with prompt and appropriate surgical correction.