Major surgery for abdominal and thoracic trauma in childhood and adolescence

Abstract

One hundred and ninety-nine cases of major abdominal and thoracic surgical procedures for trauma in childhood and adolescence have been reported. One-third were in children under 13. The ratio of blunt to penetrating trauma was 8:1 in the childhood group with most injuries occurring in the 5- to 7-yr age range. The highest death rate occurred in children under 5. In adolescents, the ratio of penetrating to nonpenetrating trauma was 2:1. The mortality rates for blunt and penetrating trauma were 12% and 4%, respectively. Associated injuries were five times more frequent in the blunt trauma group. Complications developed in one-third of the cases of blunt trauma and one-fifth of the cases of penetrating injuries. All deaths and most of the complications in the latter group were from gunshot wounds. The frequency of unnecessary exploratory operations was greater in the penetrating injury group. One hundred and ninety-nine cases of major abdominal and thoracic surgical procedures for trauma in childhood and adolescence have been reported. One-third were in children under 13. The ratio of blunt to penetrating trauma was 8:1 in the childhood group with most injuries occurring in the 5- to 7-yr age range. The highest death rate occurred in children under 5. In adolescents, the ratio of penetrating to nonpenetrating trauma was 2:1. The mortality rates for blunt and penetrating trauma were 12% and 4%, respectively. Associated injuries were five times more frequent in the blunt trauma group. Complications developed in one-third of the cases of blunt trauma and one-fifth of the cases of penetrating injuries. All deaths and most of the complications in the latter group were from gunshot wounds. The frequency of unnecessary exploratory operations was greater in the penetrating injury group.