Blunt abdominal trauma in children: Risks of nonoperative treatment

Abstract

This retrospective study includes 203 children who had intraabdominal injuries after blunt trauma, mainly bicycle accidents and falls. Of 145 patients with splenic injury, seven underwent surgery. There was a 100% splenic salvage rate. Twenty-nine children had hepatic injury and four underwent laparotomy. One patient who was initially treated conservatively had a complicated clinical course with rebleeding that led to two laparotomies. Three of 10 pancreatic injuries were operated on; one of them 4 weeks after the trauma because of a pseudocyst. Nineteen patients had gastrointestinal tract injuries. Of seven intramural hematomas, five were treated nonoperatively. Twelve patients had gastrointestinal perforations. Seven underwent laparotomy without delay. Three patients underwent surgery 24 hours after admission because of severe abdominal rigidity or pneumoperitoneum. There was one case of severe in-hospital delay in which splenic and hepatic injuries were thought to account for the physical findings. At laparotomy 36 hours after admission, a jejunal rupture and necrosis of the transverse colon were found. Nonoperative management of blunt abdominal trauma has been very successful regarding splenic ruptures. Conservative management of hepatic injuries is more hazardous, and treatment of pancreatic injuries is a matter of controversy. Gastrointestinal-tract perforations are difficult to diagnose and important to bear in mind while keeping a conservative attitude toward abdominal trauma.