Managing Blunt Abdominal Trauma

Abstract

The abdomen is frequently injured in road traffic accidents and requires the care of a trauma care team. In blunt abdominal trauma, a sudden and pronounced increase in intra-abdominal pressure can compress the abdominal viscera against the vertebral column causing laceration of the viscera. Fractured ribs or pelvic bones can also injure the abdominal viscera. Eighty per cent of patients with abdominal injuries have blunt abdominal trauma. The majority of the cases are due to roadside accidents. The most common organs injured are the spleen and liver. Injuries to the bowel, pancreas, bladder, mesentery and retroperitoneal organs are less common but should be considered. With advancements in critical care management, surgical techniques and the multidisciplinary team approach, the outcomes in blunt abdominal trauma have significantly improved. However, most injuries are conservatively managed. The management of various injuries in blunt abdominal trauma is discussed in this chapter.