Detailed Study of Blunt Abdomen Trauma in a Tertiary Care Center

Abstract

Sidduraj C Sajjan* and Saikalyan Gupta A

Background: Abdominal trauma is one of the most common causes among injuries caused mainly due to road traffic accidents. The rapid increase in motor vehicles and its aftermath has caused rapid increase in number of victims to blunt abdominal trauma. Motor vehicle accidents account for 75 to 80 % of blunt abdominal trauma.

Aim: To evaluate various clinical manifestations of blunt trauma abdomen, various available investigations for detection of intraperitoneal injuries, in particular, DPA, FAST and CT scan of abdomen, and to compare the efficacy of DPA and FAST in diagnosing hemoperitoneum.

Materials and methods: This was a prospective study where a total of 30 patients who underwent surgery for blunt abdomen trauma in Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore were included. The clinical presentation, findings on investigation and operative findings were studied and the data was analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.

Results: Males (70%) were more commonly affected than females 930%), road traffic accidents were most common cause of injury. Splenic injuries (40%) were the most common injuries followed by small bowel (33.33%) and liver (33.33%). FAST was found to be more sensitive in detecting free fluid when compared to DPA. There were 2 deaths in the period of the study.

Conclusions: Blunt abdominal trauma is usually not obvious, hence often missed unless repeatedly looked for. Most deaths occur due to inadequate and delay in treatment of abdominal injuries. FAST is a rapid and effective method to detect free fluid in abdomen and organ injury.