[Diagnosis and routines in abdominal injuries]

In patients with suspected intra-abdominal injuries the diagnostic process must conclude with a decision to do a laparotomy or to observe the patient. If the circulation is unstable because of intra-abdominal bleeding, or the patient has peritonitis, he must be operated on without delay. Otherwise, a range of different diagnostic tools may be chosen. It is wise to work according to a plan and to choose diagnostic methods that are able to give considerable help in deciding whether to operate or not. Ultrasonography or computed tomography will often be good choices.