[Blunt injuries of the gastrointestinal tract]

This study represents our experience with severe blunt gastrointestinal injury in 29 polytrauma and 3 solitary trauma patients. The primary diagnosis was missed in intestinal perforation (4x) and mesenteric disrupture (1x). In 2 other patients contusion of the gastrointestinal wall led to postprimary perforation. The average mortality was 21.8%; only 2 patients died from abdominal sepsis. Blunt gastrointestinal trauma differs from penetrating injury as far as the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects are concerned. In some cases, explorative laparotomy alone leads to early diagnosis. For sufficient management, the blunt contusion/compression aspects must be taken into account.