Diagnosis and management of pancreatic trauma: What you need to know

The pancreas is an entirely retroperitoneal structure, and hence, the initial step of recognizing a pancreatic injury is at times difficult. This is particularly critical since delays in recognition and appropriate management dramatically increase morbidity. This review article discusses the important anatomical features of the pancreas, the large variety of diagnostic maneuvers and their pitfalls, and a management strategy for pancreatic injury that is largely based on the organ injury scale. Nuances in the operative management are highlighted, as they are the most challenging of management dilemmas, making this a review of "What you need to know" about pancreatic trauma.