[Injury of the duodenum in closed abdominal trauma]

Analysis of 11 cases with injury to the duodenum showed that the presence of a hematoma, gelatinous pulmonary edema, and yellowish-green fatty tissue around the duodenum are evidence of the possible damage of its retroperitoneal part. Closure of the duodenal defect with double-row silk sutures and their peritonization with a free area of the parietal peritoneum is advisable. In retroperitoneal rupture of the duodenum the operation must be completed by drainage of the retroperitoneal space and decompression of the beginning of the small intestine with a nasogastric catheter. The possible complications are described. The Postoperative mortality was 36.3%.