Challenges in the management of pancreatic and duodenal injuries

A retrospective analysis of 44 consecutive patients with pancreatic or duodenal injuries admitted to an urban trauma center over a 6-year period was undertaken. Thirty-three patients had pancreatic injuries, including eight with combined duodenal injuries. Eleven patients had duodenal injuries. The mean age was 28 years, and 93% of the patients were male. Penetrating abdominal trauma accounted for the majority of injuries. Class I pancreatic injuries were the most common (55%), followed by those with class III (21%) and class II (18%). The majority (55%) of pancreatic injuries were managed by drainage with or without suturing; distal pancreatectomy was used in 39% of patients. Duodenal injuries were managed by primary repair in 50% of cases and pyloric exclusion/diverticulization techniques were used in 20% of cases. The mean first 24 hours transfusion requirement was 6.8 packed red blood cells. Complications were common, occurring in 61% of patients surviving longer than 24 hours. Intraabdominal abscess developed in 31% of all patients, 42% of whom required relaparotomy. Pancreatic fistulas occurred in 16% of patients with pancreatic injuries. Six patients died, 83% within 8 hours of admission, all as a result of gunshot wounds. Increased mortality was seen in patients with higher blood transfusion requirements, higher penetrating abdominal trauma index, shotgun wounds, the need for pancreaticoduodenectomy, hypotension on admission, and the presence of an associated major vascular injury. We conclude that early operation and efficacious control of hemorrhage is of prime importance in decreasing the mortality rate associated with these injuries.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)