Traumatic duodenal injuries in children: a single-centre study.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Trauma Surgery
• Gastrointestinal Surgery

Background:

• Traumatic duodenal injuries in pediatric patients are infrequent, with limited data available, particularly from Australasia.
• This study focuses on understanding the mechanisms, diagnostic approaches, treatment strategies, and outcomes of duodenal injuries in children under 16 years old.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the characteristics and outcomes of pediatric duodenal injuries.
• To evaluate the diagnostic utility of computed tomography (CT) and the efficacy of surgical repair methods.

Main Methods:

• A 16-year retrospective review was conducted at a single pediatric trauma center.
• Data from 16 pediatric patients with duodenal injuries were analyzed, focusing on injury mechanisms, diagnostic tools, and surgical interventions.

Main Results:

• Fifteen blunt and one penetrating duodenal injury were identified, primarily caused by motor vehicle accidents, auto-pedestrian incidents, and handlebar injuries.
• All injuries were low-grade (I-II). Computed tomography was crucial for diagnosing blunt duodenal injuries. Primary repair was successful in five of the eight patients requiring laparotomy, with no reported complications or delays in treatment.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric duodenal injuries are predominantly low-grade blunt trauma, differing from global trends.
• Computed tomography is a reliable diagnostic tool for blunt duodenal injuries in children.
• Primary surgical repair is feasible and effective for most pediatric duodenal injuries requiring intervention.