Double-sided gastric perforation after a motorcycle accident in Korea: A case report

Motorcycle accidents often result in abdominal trauma in patients seeking emergency care. Injuries to the hollow viscera, including the duodenum, jejunum, urinary bladder, and colorectum, are relatively common. In contrast, owing to the protective function of the anterior rib cage, gastric rupture is exceptionally rare, with an incidence of < 1.7%. Gastric rupture typically occurs in the anterior wall and rarely presents as multiple ruptures. This report describes an unusual case of multiple gastric ruptures resulting from blunt trauma.

A 21-year-old man, who was involved in a motorcycle collision at 70 km/hour after consuming a large meal, presented with hypotension. Physical examination revealed abdominal tenderness. Laboratory test results indicated elevated amylase, lipase, and liver enzyme levels. Computed tomography showed pneumoperitoneum, hemoperitoneum, and gastric wall discontinuation, suggesting gastric perforation alongside pancreatic, splenic, and hepatic injuries. Angiographic embolization was performed because of active contrast leakage in the left gastric and right gastroepiploic arteries. Emergency laparotomy revealed substantial blood loss, hematoma, and gastric contents scattered throughout the abdominal cavity. Two 10 cm gastric perforations in the anterior and posterior walls were identified, as well as severe liver damage, splenic injury, and pancreatic contusion. Surgical interventions included primary closure of the gastric wall, splenectomy, and partial hepatectomy. After temporary abdominal closure, the patient underwent a second surgery without further bleeding. The gastric repair site was resected and reinforced for optimal tissue healing.

Gastric rupture following blunt trauma is fatal. However, patients without severe complications can recover through surgical interventions and postoperative care.