An analysis of 77 cases of pancreatic injuries at a level one trauma center: Outcomes of conservative and surgical treatments.

Trauma especially road traffic injury is one of the major health-related issues throughout the world, especially in developing countries like India (Mattox 2022). Solid organ injury is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with blunt abdominal trauma. The non-operative management (NOM) is being consistently followed for hemodynamically stable patients with respect to solid organ injuries. This study aims to provide an evidence base for management modalities of solid organ injuries in blunt abdominal trauma. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatment modalities for solid organ injury in blunt abdominal trauma. Evaluating the characteristics of blunt abdominal injury with respect to age and gender; distribution, mode of injury, most common organ injured, and severity of injury; effect of delay in getting treatment on the management outcome for patients with solid organ injury; evaluating the various modalities of treatment of CT-proven solid organ injury; incidence of complications in different modes of treatment. All patients aged more than 18years and suffering from CT-proven solid organ injury secondary to blunt abdominal trauma between February 2021 and September 2022 were included in this prospective observational study. Sixty-five patients were enrolled in the study after meeting the inclusion criteria. Details such as age, gender, mechanism of injury, the time between injury to first hospital contact, presenting complaints, organ and grade of injury, Revised Trauma Score (RTS), Trauma Score and Injury Severity Score (TRISS), management, and outcomes were collected using self-designed pro forma and analyzed. Different modalities of treatment were evaluated and patients undergoing operative and non-operative management were compared. Patients in whom non-operative management failed were compared with patients with successful non-operative management. The mean age of patients involved were 36.8years with a male:female ratio of 7.125:1 and the most common age group affected being between 21 and 30years. The most common mode of injury was noted to be road traffic accidents (72.3%). The most common presenting complaints were abdominal pain (64.6%) followed by chest pain (29.2%) and vomiting (13.8%). There was no significant relationship between latent period and type of intervention or failure of non-operative management. FAST positivity rate was noted to be 92.3%. Chronic alcoholism and bronchial asthma were significant predictors for patients undergoing upfront surgery (p = 0.003 and 0.006 respectively). The presence of pelvic and spine injury was statistically significant for predicting mortality in polytrauma patients (p = 0.003). Concurrent adrenal injury was found in 24.6% of patients but was not related to failure of non-operative management or mortality. RTS significantly predicts the multitude of organ involvement (p = 0.015). The liver was the most common organ injured (60%) followed by the spleen (52.3%) and the kidney (20%). The liver and the spleen (9.2%) were noted to be the most common organ combination involved. No specific organ or organ injury combination was noted to predict failure of non-operative management or mortality. But the multitude of organ involvement was statistically significant for predicting patients undergoing upfront surgery (p = 0.011). Out of 65 patients enrolled in the study, 7 patients (10.8%) underwent immediate surgery, and 58 patients (89.2%) underwent non-operative management. Among the 68 chosen for non-operative management, 6 patients (9.2%) failed non-operative management and 52 patients (80%) had success of non-operative management. A significant drop in hemoglobin (83.3%) on day 1 (66.6%) was seen to be the commonest reason for failure of non-operative management. The spleen was noted to be the most commonly involved organ intra-operatively (61.5%) followed by the liver (30.8%). Concordance between pre-operative and intra-operative grading of organ injuries was highest for liver and kidney injuries (100%) and lowest for pancreatic injuries (0%). Requirement of blood transfusion and liver injuries were significant factors for failure of non-operative management (p = 0.012 and 0.045 respectively). The presence of pancreatic leak was significant between the non-operated patients and patients operated upfront (p = 0.003). Mortality was noted to be 10.8% (7 patients) in our study. Solid organ injury in blunt abdominal trauma is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. RTS was noted to be a good predictor for solid organ injury in blunt abdominal trauma. Pancreatic injuries are notorious for being under-staged on CT findings; hence, the need arises for multimodality imaging for suspected pancreatic injuries. Non-operative management is a successful modality of treatment for majority of patients suffering from multiple solid organ injuries in blunt abdominal trauma provided serial close monitoring of patient's clinical signs and hemoglobin is instituted along with the presence of an emergency surgery team.

IntroductionThe management of a patient suffering from blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) remains a challenge for the emergency physician. Within the last few years, the standard therapy for hemodynamically stable patients with BAT has transitioned to a non-operative approach. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcome of patients with BAT and to determine the reasons for failure of non-operative management (NOM).Materials and methodsAnalysis of 176 consecutive patients treated for BAT was conducted in a German level 1 trauma center from 2004 to 2011. Abdominal injuries were classified according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST). Patients included were demonstrated to have objective abdominal trauma with either free fluid on focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) or computed tomography (CT), or proven organ injury.ResultsPatients, 142 of 176 (80.7%), with BAT were initially managed non-operatively, with a success rate of 90%. The rates of NOM success were higher among those with less severe injuries; 100% with Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) of 1. In total, 125 patients (71.0%) were managed non-operatively, and 51 (29.0%) required surgical intervention. NOM failure occurred in 9.2% of the patients, the most common reason being initially undiagnosed intestinal perforation (46.2%). Positive correlation was identified (r = 0.512; p < 0.001) between the ISS (injury severity score) and the NACA (National Advisory Committee of Aeronautics) score. The delay in operation in NOM failure was 6 h in patients with underlying hepatic or splenic rupture and 34 h with intestinal perforation. The overall mortality of 5.1% was attributed especially to old age (p = 0.016), high severity of injury (p < 0.001), and greater need for blood transfusion (p < 0.001).ConclusionNOM was successful for the vast majority of blunt abdominal trauma patients, especially those with less severe injuries. NOM failure and operative delay were most commonly due to occult hollow viscus injury (HVI), the detection of which was achieved by close clinical observation and abdominal ultrasound in conjunction with monitoring for rising markers of infection and by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) if additionally indicated. Based on this concept, the delay in operation in patients with NOM failure was short. This study underscores the feasibility and benefit of NOM in BAT.

Introduction: Non-operative management (NOM) is the current approach in patients with solid organ injury caused by blunt abdominal trauma. In recent years, conservative treatment is successfully employed by advances in imaging modalities, interventional radiology and intensive care management. However, there is no consensus on follow-up of trauma patients undergoing NOM. In this study, we aimed to highlight controversial issues in trauma patients undergoing NOM.Materials and methods: In this study, we retrospectively assessed with splenic injury after blunt abdominal trauma. Criteria for conversion to laparotomy include hemodynamic instability despite adequate resuscitation and presence of peritoneal irritation findings. The patients were classified as those with NOM success and those with NOM failure requiring laparotomy. Groups were compared regarding demographic characteristics, mechanism of injury, additional trauma, hemodynamic status at admission, severity of injury on CT scan, transfusion need for blood and blood products, need for laparotomy, length of hospital stay, need for ICU admission, change in hemoglobin/hematocrit value and leukocyte count, and initiation time of oral intakeResults: In 72 cases with splenic injury after blunt abdominal trauma that was managed by NOM. In 10 patients, NOM was failed and the patients underwent laparotomy. All patients underwent CT scan during initial diagnostic workshop.Conclusion: Imaging modalities should be used in the follow-up of patients with ≥grade 3 injury. Higher grades of injury result in increased costs and prolonged hospitalization. NOM failure is increased in high grade injuries. Another factor in NOM failure is perforation of non-solid organs. Close hemodynamic monitorization, frequent physical examination and effective fluid resuscitation are essential in patients undergoing NOM. It should be kept in mind that complications such as re-bleeding and splenic abscess may occur at early period after discharge.

Instituting a Conservative Management Protocol for Pediatric Blunt Renal Trauma: Evaluation of a Prospectively Maintained Patient Registry

Aims and Background The spleen is the most frequently injured solid organ after blunt trauma and a trial non-operative management (NOM) has become the standard of care in hemodynamically stable patients. It remains uncertain which patients are at increased risk of non-operative management failure (NOMF) at initial presentation. We explored whether clinical variables including the contemporary rotational thromboelastography (ROTEM) parameters are predictive of NOMF. Materials and Methods Data for all adult patients with a blunt splenic injury was collected retrospectively at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Canada between 2005 and 2021. Those who underwent a splenectomy within 4 hours of presentation were classified as direct operative management (OM), while those who had a splenectomy after 4 hours of observation were classified as NOM failure. Vital signs on arrival and injury characteristics were collected. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of OM and predictors of NOM failure. Results Seven hundred and seventeen patients were identified with splenic injury during our study period. The median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 27 (IQR 17–36), and 19% ( n = 134) had a shock index of 1 or more. One hundred and eleven (15.5%) underwent direct operative management. A shock index above 1 and increasing spleen injury severity were strong predictors of patients undergoing direct OM. The remaining 606 patients underwent NOM of which 59% ( n = 357) of these were admitted to the ICU. NOM failure occurred in 7.4% ( n = 45) with a median time to NOM failure of 23 (IQR 8–72) hours. The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) spleen injury severity was the major factor significantly associated with NOM failure. Conclusions The only major predictor of NOMF available on arrival is increased spleen injury grade. Other clinical variables such as age, vital signs on arrival, and bloodwork were not significantly able to predict NOM failure. Additional investigation is required to identify novel predictors of NOM failure.

Decision-making in pediatric blunt solid organ injury: A deep learning approach to predict massive transfusion, need for operative management, and mortality risk

Endoscopic management for pancreatic injuries due to blunt abdominal trauma decreases failure of nonoperative management and incidence of pancreatic-related complications

Liver injuries after blunt abdominal trauma vary from mild contusions to life-threatening damage, indicating that initial risk stratification of liver injuries is critical to improve clinical outcomes, especially in a medical resource-constrained area. This study analyzed 148 patients who underwent abdominal and chest computed tomography with elevated transaminases, with suspected liver injury after blunt abdominal trauma, between January 2008 and December 2017. The mean age was 49.6 (standard deviation 17.2) years; most patients were men (69.6%). The most common cause of trauma was motor vehicle accidents (55.4%), followed by falls (27.7%) and assault (11.5%). Patients with no liver injury (n = 63, 42.6%) and those with American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grades I (n = 11, 7.4%) and II (n = 15, 10.1%) were treated with non-operative management. However, 2.8% of patients with AAST III (n = 36, 24.3%), 29.4% with AAST IV (n = 17, 11.5%), and 50.0% with AAST V (n = 6, 4.1%) required trans-arterial embolization, and patients with AAST IV and V had 11.8% and 33.3% mortality rates, respectively. Predictors for major liver injury (AAST IV and V) were aspartate aminotransferase ≥ 450 IU/L (p < 0.0005) and international normalized ratio ≥ 1.2 (p = 0.028). In conclusion, these laboratory values enable an initial risk stratification of liver injuries after blunt abdominal trauma that early appropriate treatment and, if not possible, a prompt transfer to a capable facility would be considered in patients who had the predictors of major liver injury.

CT Imaging and Management of Blunt Splenic Trauma: Lessons for Today and Tomorrow

Retrospective review of splenic artery embolization (SAE) outcomes performed for blunt abdominal trauma. 11-year retrospective review at a large level-1 Canadian trauma centre. All patients who underwent SAE after blunt trauma were included. Technical success was defined as angiographic occlusion of the target vessel and clinical success was defined as successful non-operative management and splenic salvage on follow-up. 138 patients were included of which 68.1% were male. The median age was 47years (interquartile range (IQR) = 32.5years). The most common mechanisms of injury were motor vehicle accidents (37.0%), mechanical falls (25.4%), and pedestrians hit by motor vehicles (10.9%). 70.3% of patients had American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grade 4 injuries. Patients were treated with proximal SAE (n = 97), distal SAE (n = 23) or combined SAE (n = 18), and 68% were embolized with an Amplatzer plug. No significant differences were observed across all measures of hospitalization (Length of hospital stay: x2(2) = .358, P = .836; intensive care unit (ICU) stay: x2(2) = .390, P = .823; ICU stay post-procedure: x2(2) = 1.048, P = .592). Technical success and splenic salvage were achieved in 100% and 97.8% of patients, respectively. 7 patients (5%) had post-embolization complications and 7 patients (5%) died during hospital admission, but death was secondary to other injuries sustained in the trauma rather than complications related to splenic injury or its management. We report that SAE as an adjunct to non-operative management of blunt splenic trauma can be performed safely and effectively with a high rate of clinical success.

The role of non-operative management (NOM) in blunt hepatic trauma

Blunt abdominal trauma is the major cause of abdominal injury in children. Because of the retroperitoneal location, insidious signs and symptoms and the lack of sensitivity with common imaging modalities often lead to difficulties in making an accurate diagnosis. The most common complication is the formation of a pancreatic fistula, pancreatitis and a pancreatic pseudocyst, which usually manifests within 3 or 4 weeks after injury. The case records of seven children (4 male, 3 female) treated for blunt pancreatic injury in the department of pediatric surgery, University Hospital, Split were reviewed. The treatment modalities were selected according to the grade of the pancreatic injury, hemodynamic status and associated injuries. Because all of the patients were classified as grade I or II according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) classification, a conservative treatment was selected for all seven patients. In four patients the conservative treatment resulted in the total regression of the clinical, biochemical and radiological signs within four weeks (AAST grade I). In the other three patients, pancreatic pseudocysts arose within 3 or 4 weeks after the injury (AAST grade II). The status of the main pancreatic duct and the location of the pancreatic injury constitute the basis of the AAST scoring system. This scale should be used as a guide to selecting a surgical or conservative strategy. Based on these data, two factors appear to be the most important determinants of the treatment strategy for children with pancreatic injury: the grade of the pancreatic injury, which is determined according to the status of the main pancreatic duct and the clinical status of the patient.

Non-operative management (NOM) has become the major treatment of blunt liver trauma (BLT) with a NOM failure rate of 3-15% due to liver-related complications. The aim of the study was to determine the predictive factors and a risk-stratified score of NOM failure. From 2013 to 2021, all patients with BLT in three trauma centers were included; clinical, biological, radiological and outcome data were retrospectively analyzed. Predictive factors and a risk-stratified score associated with NOM failure were identified. Four hundred and ninety-four patients with BLT were included. Among them, 80 (16.2%) had isolated BLT. Fifty-nine patients (11.9%) underwent emergent operative management (OM) on the day of admission and 435 (88.1%) had a NOM. NOM failure rate was 11.5%. Patients with a NOM failure more frequently had a hemoperitoneum (p < 0.001), liver bleeding (p < 0.001), blood transfusion (p < 0.001) and angioembolization (p < 0.001) compared to patient with a successful NOM. In multivariate analysis, the presence of hemoperitoneum (OR = 5.71; 95 CI [1.29-25.45]), angioembolization (OR = 8.73; 95 CI [2.04-38.44] and severe liver injury (AAST IV or V) (OR = 8.97; 95 CI [3.36-23.99]) were independent predictive factors of NOM failure. When these three factors were associated, NOM failure rate was 83.3%. The AAST grade, the presence of hemoperitoneum and the realization of liver angioembolization on the day of admission are three independent predictive factors of NOM failure. Our risk-score based on these three factors stratify the risk of NOM failure in BLT and could be used for a more appropriate level of medical survey adapted to each patient. Level of evidence: prospective observational cohort study, Level III.

Trauma;&#x0D; Spleen injuries are among the most frequent trauma-related injuries. The approach for diagnosis and management of Blunt Splenic Injury (BSI) has been considerably shifted towards Non- Operative Management (NOM) in the last few decades. NOM of blunt splenic injuries includes Splenic Angio-Embolization (SAE). Aim of this study was to analyze Pisa Level 1 trauma center (Italy) last 10-years-experience in the management of Blunt Splenic Trauma (BST), and more specifically to evaluate NOM rate and failure. Retrospective analysis of all patients admitted with blunt splenic trauma was done. They were divided into two groups according to the treatment: hemodynamically unstable patients treated operatively (OM group) and patients underwent a nonoperative management (NOM group). The CT scan performed in all NOM group patients. Univariate analysis was performed to identify differences between the two groups. Multivariate analysis adjusting for factors with a p value &lt; 0.05 or with clinical relevance was used to identify possible risk factors for NOM failure. 193 consecutive patients with blunt splenic trauma were admitted. Emergency splenectomies were performed in 53 patients (OM group); 140 were managed non-operatively with or without SAE (NOM group). NOM rate in high grade injuries is 57%. Overall NOM failure rate is 9%, and success rate in high grade splenic injuries is 48%; multivariate analysis showed AAST score ≥3 as a risk factor for NOM failure. Non-operative management currently represents the gold standard management for hemodynamically stable patient with blunt splenic trauma even in high grade splenic injuries. AAST ≥3 spleen lesion is a failure risk factor but not a contraindication to for non-operative management.

Blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) is a leading cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality, particularly in low-resource settings like Pakistan, where road traffic accidents (RTAs) and falls are major contributors. The standard of care has shifted from mandatory surgical intervention to non-operative management (NOM) for hemodynamically stable patients with solid organ injuries. This study evaluates the outcomes of conservative management of pediatric BAT in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan, assessing its success rate, complications, and factors contributing to treatment failure. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, over three months (October 2024 to March 2025). A total of 90 pediatric patients (≤16 years) with confirmed BAT were enrolled. Patients were stratified based on injury severity using the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grading system and managed conservatively if hemodynamically stable. Primary outcomes included NOM success rate, need for surgical intervention, and mortality. Secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay, blood transfusion requirements, and complications such as secondary hemorrhage and delayed splenic rupture. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, with a p-value of &lt;0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: NOM was successful in 78 patients (86.7%), with failure observed in 12 patients (13.3%), primarily those with severe injuries requiring surgical intervention. The most commonly injured organs were the spleen (40.0%) and liver (38.9%). RTAs were the leading cause of BAT (53.3%), followed by falls (30.0%). Complications included secondary hemorrhage (11.1%), delayed splenic rupture (6.7%), and infection (10.0%). ICU admission was required in 24.4% of cases, while 27.8% required blood transfusions. The mean hospital stay was 5.7 ± 2.3 days, with prolonged stays observed in severe cases. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that NOM is a safe and effective approach for managing pediatric BAT in Pakistan, with a high success rate and favorable patient outcomes. The findings highlight the importance of strict hemodynamic monitoring, timely transfusion support, and selective surgical intervention in high-risk cases. Given the increasing burden of pediatric trauma due to RTAs and falls, efforts should be directed toward improving trauma care infrastructure, enhancing training for NOM protocols, and implementing preventive strategies to reduce pediatric injury rates in Pakistan.