Related Experiment Videos
Abdominal trauma with special reference to hepatic trauma.
Canadian Journal of Surgery. Journal Canadien De Chirurgie
|November 1, 1978
Summary
Abdominal trauma affects 37% of trauma admissions. Blunt injuries are more common than penetrating wounds, with hepatic injuries often managed non-surgically.
Area of Science:
- Trauma Surgery
- Surgical Gastroenterology
Background:
- Abdominal trauma is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in trauma patients.
- Understanding the patterns and outcomes of abdominal trauma is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence, causes, and management of abdominal trauma in adult patients.
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of peritoneal lavage and the treatment strategies for hepatic injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 882 adult trauma admissions over a 6-year period.
- Analysis of patient demographics, injury mechanisms (blunt vs. penetrating), diagnostic methods (peritoneal lavage), and surgical interventions (laparotomy, hepatic procedures).
Main Results:
- 325 patients (37%) had abdominal trauma, with 74% from blunt mechanisms.
- Peritoneal lavage was used in 79 cases with low false-positive/negative rates.
- 56 hepatic injuries were treated; 43 from blunt trauma, often managed with packing/drainage or suture-ligatures.
- Hepatic resection or artery ligation was needed in 10 and 2 cases, respectively.
- Only one death was directly attributed to liver injury.
Conclusions:
- Abdominal trauma, predominantly blunt, requires prompt diagnosis and management.
- Peritoneal lavage is a valuable diagnostic tool.
- Many hepatic injuries can be managed non-operatively or with less invasive surgical techniques, with a low mortality rate.