[Retroperitoneal injuries of the duodenum]

8 observations over a closed trauma of the retroperitoneal portion of the duodenum are presented; 3 patients out of them sustained combined traumas. Only in 2 cases the rupture of the peritoneal portion of the duodenum was suspected before operation. In 4 patients the diagnosis was established in time of laparotomy, in 2 cases the rupture was recognized at the repeated laparotomy. As a rule each operation terminated in a drainage of the retroperitoneal space through the lumbar region.