Stable Blunt Abdominal Trauma Patients Research Articles

Role of Laparoscopy in Evaluation of Various Blunt Abdominal Trauma

Introduction with Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the role of laparoscopy in evaluation of various Blunt abdominal trauma (BTA) in tertiary care teaching hospital. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted from 21st June 2016 to 21st December 2017 among 50 abdominal blunt trauma patients attending at Casualty Block, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, after obtaining requisite consent from the patients attendant. Data were collected through the assessment and investigation report of abdominal blunt trauma patients in the Casualty Department. The collected data were entered into the computer and analyzed by using SPSS (version 20.1) to assess the role of laparoscopy in evaluation of various blunt abdominal trauma. Results: Most of the patients were from 21-30 years (36%) of age group followed by 11-20 years (32%). The median age of this study population is 27 years. Of the study population, 84% (n=42) were male and 16% (n=8) were female. Male-female ratio was 84:16. In this study, 62% (n=31) of patients underwent only laparoscopy and 38% of patients (n=19%) underwent laparoscopy followed by laparotomy. Perforation of gas containing hollow viscus (94.73%) is responsible for conversion of laparoscopy into laparotomy in patients with blunt abdominal trauma. Among 50 patients 14 patients (28%) developed post operative complications. Rate of wound infection was higher laparoscopy followed by laparotomy (n=11). One patient developed post operative collection following laparoscopy. The accuracy rate is 100% in laparoscopic evaluation of BTA in this study. Conclusion: laparoscopy is a useful modality for evaluating and managing hemodynamically stable blunt abdominal trauma patients. Medicine Today 2024, Vol.36 (2): 95-98

Clinical utility of performing FAST scan in hemodynamically stable patients presenting with blunt abdominal trauma in level one trauma center

Background: Focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) has a role in the rapid screening of hemodynamically unstable patients to decide on management, however, its role in hemodynamically stable patients remains equivocal. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the sensitivity and specificity rate of FAST for intra-abdominal injury (IAI) in hemodynamically stable blunt abdominal trauma patients. Secondary outcomes like Glasgow coma score, length of hospital stays (LOS), head injury, and mortality were also examined for their association with FAST scan results. Settings and Design: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in level-one trauma center in Bahrain. Methods: This study was conducted from January 2019 to October 2020. A total of 191 trauma codes were activated during this period, however, only 112 patients were included based on the inclusion criteria. Results: FAST scan in hemodynamically stable patients was found to have a higher specificity (96.7%) than sensitivity (30%) in this study. A higher negative predictive value (NPV) (86.4%) compared to a positive predictive value (66.6%) and a high accuracy rate (84.8%) was observed. LOS showed significant association only with FAST diagnostic accuracy. Conclusion: In hemodynamically stable patients; FAST is better at ruling in intra IAI when compared to ruling out and its high NPV supports it being a good screening tool. The results do not support the use of FAST as the sole diagnostic tool without performing computed tomography scan.

Do signs of abdominal wall injury on computed tomography predict intra-abdominal injury in trauma patients with a seatbelt sign?

BackgroundA seatbelt sign in patients with blunt abdominal injury is associated with both abdominal wall and intra-abdominal injuries. This study aimed to assess the association between signs of abdominal wall injury on computed tomography (CT) and rates of intra-abdominal injury in patients with a blunt abdominal injury and a clinical seatbelt sign. MethodsThis study includes hemodynamically stable trauma patients with blunt abdominal injury and a clinical seatbelt sign who were hospitalized in two regional trauma centers in Israel, during 2014–2019. All data were collected via the medical center's trauma registry in both centers. ResultsWe identified 123 stable blunt abdominal trauma patients with a seatbelt sign, of which 101 (82.1%) and 22 (17.9%) had a low-grade and high-grade abdominal wall injury according to CT findings, respectively. Laparotomy rates were significantly higher in patients with signs of high-grade abdominal wall injury (p<0.0001). No differences in the timing of laparotomy between low and high-grade injuries were found. ConclusionsIn stable patients with blunt abdominal trauma and a clinical seatbelt sign, the severity of abdominal wall injury, as represented by CT findings, may predict a need for surgical treatment.

Obesity May Require a Higher Level of Trauma Care: A Propensity-Matched Nationwide Cohort Study

Objective Stable patients with less severe injuries are not necessarily triaged to high-level trauma centers according to current guidelines. Obese patients are prone to comorbidities and complications. We hypothesized that stable obese patients with low-energy trauma have lower mortality and fewer complications if treated at Level-I/II trauma centers. Methods: Blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) patients with systolic blood pressures ≥90mmHg, Glasgow coma scale ≥14, and respiratory rates at 10-29 were derived from the National Trauma Data Bank between 2013-2015. Per current triage guidelines, these patients are not necessarily triaged to high-level trauma centers. The relationship between obesity and mortality of stable BAT patients was analyzed. A subset analysis of patients with injury severity scores (ISS) <16 was performed with propensity score matching (PSM) to evaluate outcomes between Level-I/II and Level-III/IV trauma centers. Outcomes of obese patients were compared between Level-I/II and Level-III/IV trauma centers. Non-obese patients were analyzed as a control group using a similar PSM cohort analysis. Results: 48,043 stable BAT patients in 707 trauma centers were evaluated. Non-survivors had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) (28.7 vs. 26.9, p < 0.001) and higher proportion of obesity (35.6% vs. 26.5%, p < 0.001) than survivors. After a PSM (1,502 obese patients: 751 in Level-I/II trauma centers and 751 in Level-III/IV trauma centers), obese patients treated in Level-I/II trauma centers had significantly lower complication rates than obese patients treated in other trauma centers (20.2% vs. 26.6%, standardized difference = 0.151). The complication rate of obese patients treated at Level-I/II trauma centers was 20.6% lower than obese patients treated at other trauma centers. Conclusion: Obesity plays a role in the mortality of stable BAT patients. Obese patients with ISS < 16 have lower complication rates at Level-I/II trauma centers compared to obese patients treated at other trauma centers. Obesity may be a consideration for triaging to Level-I/II trauma centers.

Renal ultrasound to evaluate for blunt renal trauma in children: A retrospective comparison to contrast enhanced CT imaging

The standard imaging modality for hemodynamically stable blunt abdominal trauma patients is a contrast enhanced CT scan, which is reflected in the current AUA urotrauma guidelines. This comes, however, with radiation exposure and the potential sequalae of IV contrast administration in the pediatric patient. We hypothesize that ultrasound imaging would be able to diagnose and rule out clinically significant renal injuries when compared to the gold standard of CT scan in the setting of pediatric blunt abdominal trauma. All children <18 years of age who were evaluated for blunt abdominal trauma who had a CT scan and ultrasound imaging of kidneys were identified. The ultrasound images were reviewed by four reviewers who were blinded to CT results and all clinical information. The ability of ultrasound to diagnose and rule out clinically significant renal injury was evaluated by diagnostic test performance characteristics including sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value. There were 76 patients identified, 24 of which had a renal injury (1 bilateral) diagnosed by CT scan for a total of 25 injuries in 152 renal units. There were six grade I-II injuries and 19 grade III-V injuries. The sensitivity of the four blinded reviewers by ultrasound alone to detect the 19 grade III-V injuries ranged from 79 to 100% with NPV between 97 and 100%. Three of the four reviewers identified all 19 grade III-V injuries by ultrasound. When combined with significant hematuria, all 19 grade III-IV injuries were identified. Of note, all patients with a grade III-V injury of the kidney had significant hematuria. Of the grade I-II renal injuries, all reviewers identified 1/5 or 2/5 by ultrasound alone. The limitations of this study include: its retrospective nature, limited number of patients and reviewers, quality of the ultrasound machine. and experience of technologist, radiologist and urologist. A major limitation is the inability to assess other solid organ injuries during this initial study. When compared to a CT scan as the gold standard, kidney ultrasound images had a sensitivity of 79-100% to detect grade III-V injuries and NPV of 97-100% by four blinded reviewers. All grade III-V injuries had either an episode of gross hematuria or microscopic hematuria >50 RBC/hpf. A prospective study that includes full abdominal imaging is needed to confirm that ultrasound can safely be used in place of CT scan for evaluation of hemodynamically stable blunt trauma patients.

Conservative Versus Operative Management of Blunt Splenic Injuries

Background: The spleen is the most frequently injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma, mainly because of its highly vascularized parenchyma and its anatomic location. In the past the management of blunt splenic injuries was splenectomy, but high rate of operative complications caused paradigm shift from operative to non-operative management (NOM) in hemodynamically stable blunt abdominal trauma patients. Now, nonoperative management of hemodynamically stable patients with blunt splenic injuries is the standard of care and has been proven to be safe and successful in the acute setting. The advent of newer imaging techniques with high resolution CT scanners has enabled the clinicians to exactly diagnose the extent of intra-abdominal organ injury. Objective: This work aim to compare between operative and conservative management of splenic trauma. Methodology: Total numbers of patients in this study were 20 patients classified in two groups, the first group contained12 patients and the other group contained 8 patients. The First group was managed conservative and the second was managed operative with splenectomy and splenoraphy. The first group of patients consisted of 9 males (75%) and 3 female (25%). The second group of patients consisted of 6 males (75%) and 2 females (25%). Results: In this study, bunt splenic injury was found to be more common in males because of their risky and hard work. RTA and Falling from a height were found to be the most common causes of blunt abdominal injuries. According to CT, grade one and two of splenic injury are more common than other grades of splenic injury. As regard complication the operative management has more complication as postoperative wound infection and postoperative chest infection. So, NOM of splenic injury is the management of choice in haemodynamically stable patients. Conclusion: The nonoperative management is considered the ideal management for blunt splenic injuries due to less complication, less blood transfusion, less hospital stay and less mortality than operative management.

Operative versus conservative management of splenic trauma in pediatric patients

Objective The aim of this study was to compare between operative and conservative management of splenic trauma in pediatric patients. Background In the past the management of blunt splenic injuries was carried out using splenectomy. However, the high rate of operative complications caused a paradigm shift from operative to nonoperative management in hemodynamically stable blunt abdominal trauma patients. Patients and methods This prospective study included a total of 40 patients. The patients were managed conservatively or operatively. Nonoperative management criteria included hemodynamic stability and absence of other injuries requiring laparotomy. Unstable patients were operated using splenectomy. Results Road traffic accident was the most common mechanism of trauma in this study (55%) in the patients who were managed conservatively and (60%) in the patients who were managed operatively (χ2 = 1.507; P = 1.000). Computed tomography was performed for stable patients only; grade I and grade II splenic injury comprised 70% of cases. The incidence of complications was 5% in the patients who were managed conservatively and 10% in the patients who were managed operatively (χ2 = 0.360; P = 1.000). The incidence of blood transfusion was less in the patients who were managed conservatively (25%) than in the patients who were managed operatively (100%) (χ2 = 24.000; P < 0.001). There was no mortality in the patients who were managed conservatively, whereas in the patients who were managed operatively the incidence of mortality was 5% (χ2 = 1.026; P = 1.000). All these tests were used as tests of significance at P less than 0.05. Conclusion The nonoperative management is considered the ideal management for blunt splenic injuries in pediatric patients because of fewer complications, lower blood transfusion rate, shorter hospital stay, and less mortality compared with operative management.

The Predictive Value of Repeated Abdominal Ultrasonography in Patients with Multiple Trauma and Decreased Level of Consciousness: The Experience of a Resource-Limited Centre.

To determine the predictive value of repeated abdominal ultrasonography in patients with multiple trauma and decreased level of consciousness (LOC). This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted over a six-month period at Shahid Rajaee Trauma Hospital, Shiraz, Iran. We included hemodynamically stable blunt abdominal trauma patients with a decreased LOC (Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 13) who were referred to the neurosurgery ICU ward. Included cases underwent 1 contrast-enhanced CT scan and two-time ultrasonographic study of the abdomen with an interval of 48 hours. The diagnostic accuracy of the ultrasonography was determined according to the CT-scan results. Overall 80 patients with mean age of 37.75 ± 18.67 years were included. There were 17 (21.3%) women and 63 (78.8%) men among the patients. Compared with the CT-Scan, the first ultrasonography showed a sensitivity of 60%, specificity of 80%, PPV of 16.60%, NPV of 96.80%, and a diagnostic accuracy of 70%. The same values for the second ultrasonographic study were 80%, 79%, 20%, 98%, and 79%, respectively. In 4 (5%) patients whose first ultrasonography and CT scan results were negative, the second ultrasonography was positive for injury. In patients with blunt trauma to the abdomen, when the only indication of abdominal CT scan is a decreased LOC, two ultrasonographic studies can replace a CT imaging.

Diagnostic accuracy of secondary ultrasound exam in blunt abdominal trauma.

Background:In stable patients with blunt abdominal trauma, accurate diagnosis of visceral injuries is crucial.Objectives:To determine whether repeating ultrasound exam will increase the sensitivity of focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST) through revealing additional free intraperitoneal fluid in patients with blunt abdominal trauma.Patients and Methods:We performed a prospective observational study by performing primary and secondary ultrasound exams in blunt abdominal trauma patients. All ultrasound exams were performed by four radiology residents who had the experience of more than 400 FAST exams. Five routine intraperitoneal spaces as well as the interloop space were examined by ultrasound in order to find free fluid. All patients who expired or were transferred to the operating room before the second exam were excluded from the study. All positive ultrasound results were compared with intra-operative and computed tomography (CT) findings and/or the clinical status of the patients.Results:Primary ultrasound was performed in 372 patients; 61 of them did not undergo secondary ultrasound exam; thus, were excluded from the study.Three hundred eleven patients underwent both primary and secondary ultrasound exams. One hundred and two of all patients were evaluated by contrast enhanced CT scan and 31 underwent laparotomy. The sensitivity of ultrasound exam in detecting intraperitoneal fluid significantly increased from 70.7% for the primary exam to 92.7% for the secondary exam. Examining the interloop space significantly improved the sensitivity of ultrasonography in both primary (from 36.6% to 70.7%) and secondary (from 65.9% to 92.7%) exams.Conclusions:Performing a secondary ultrasound exam in stable blunt abdominal trauma patients and adding interloop space scan to the routine FAST exam significantly increases the sensitivity of ultrasound in detecting intraperitoneal free fluid.

Laparoscopy Decreases the Laparotomy Rate in Hemodynamically Stable Patients With Blunt Abdominal Trauma

This study evaluated the use of laparoscopy in hemodynamically stable patients with blunt abdominal trauma. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of hemodynamically stable blunt abdominal trauma patients. Patients admitted from July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2006 (prior to the adoption of laparoscopy for patients with blunt abdominal trauma) were categorized as group A. Patients admitted from July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2010, when laparoscopy was included in the algorithm for the management of blunt abdominal trauma, were categorized as group B. There were 47 patients in group A and 57 patients in group B. There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics, injury severity score, and injuries requiring surgical intervention between the groups (all, P > .05). Patients in group B had a shorter hospital stay (11 days vs 21 days, P < .001) and shorter ICU stay (0 [0, 1] days vs. 0 [0, 9] days, P = .029). In group A, 6 of 47 patients (12.8%) underwent a nontherapeutic laparotomy. In contrast, 9 of 57 patients (15.8%) in group B avoided a nontherapeutic laparotomy because no significant intra-abdominal findings warranting an intervention were disclosed by laparoscopy. The incidence of laparotomy for patients with significant injuries in group B was lower than in group A (4.2% vs. 100.0%; P < .001). There was no difference in the complication rate between the groups. Laparoscopy is feasible and safe for the diagnosis and treatment of hemodynamically stable patients with blunt abdominal trauma and can reduce the laparotomy rate.

Rupture of Ectopic Pelvic Dysplastic Kidney after Blunt Abdominal Trauma Presenting as Left Lower Quadrant Pain

BackgroundEctopic pelvic dysplastic kidney is very rare. To our knowledge, there is no case report in the literature that discusses the diagnosis and management of ectopic pelvic dysplastic kidney in trauma. ObjectivesTo report an unusual organ injury after abdominal blunt trauma. Case ReportA 23-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department with complaints of left lower quadrant pain after blunt abdominal trauma. Rupture of an ectopic pelvic dysplastic kidney was suspected from ultrasonography and then confirmed by a computed tomography scan. The patient was managed successfully with conservative therapy. ConclusionsThe focused assessment with sonography for trauma examination is beneficial to hemodynamically stable blunt abdominal trauma patients because unusual organ injuries can be detected early.

Microscopic Hematuria as a Marker of Blunt Abdominal Trauma in Rats: Description of an Experimental Model

Microscopic hematuria is an extremely important sign in blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) patients. Controversies still exist in the literature on whether microscopic hematuria is a sign of intra-abdominal extrarenal organ injury and is an indication for radiographic assessment of BAT patients. In this study, a new BAT rat model was developed, and we tried to determine the relationships between microscopic hematuria and extrarenal intra-abdominal organ injury. After verifying our model, lethal and maximal sublethal intensity of impact energy determined in the rats. Animals allocated into six sublethal impact energy groups. BAT was induced by dropping a standard mass from variable heights. After 2 hours of examining period, macroscopic laparotomy findings, histopathological liver, spleen and renal injury grades, and microscopic hematuria levels were recorded in these six groups. According to our results, while the trauma intensity increase severity of the histopathological injury increases for all organs. Although there was a significant correlation between microscopic hematuria and trauma intensity, we could not show same relationship between microscopic hematuria and histopathological organ injury. On the other hand, microscopic hematuria was correlated with the macroscopic laparotomy findings. Microscopic hematuria could serve as a predictor of the severity of trauma and intra-abdominal organ injury. This study would support the use of abdominal imaging and attentive assessment for intra-abdominal organ injury in stable BAT patients with hematuria. The laparotomy threshold may be lowered for unstable BAT patients with hematuria.

Blunt Abdominal Trauma Patients Are at Very Low Risk for Intra-Abdominal Injury after Emergency Department Observation

IntroductionPatients are commonly admitted to the hospital for observation following blunt abdominal trauma (BAT), despite initially negative emergency department (ED) evaluations. With the current use of screening technology, such as computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis, ultrasound, and laboratory evaluations, it is unclear which patients require observation. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of intra-abdominal injury (IAI) and death in hemodynamically normal and stable BAT patients with initially negative ED evaluations admitted to an ED observation unit and to define a low-risk subgroup of patients and assess whether they may be discharged without abdominal/pelvic CT or observation.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study performed at an urban level 1 trauma center and included all BAT patients admitted to an ED observation unit as part of a BAT key clinical pathway. All were observed for at least 8 hours as part of the key clinical pathway, and only minors and pregnant women were excluded. Outcomes included the presence of IAI or death during a 40-month follow-up period. Prior to data collection, low-risk criteria were defined as no intoxication, no hypotension or tachycardia, no abdominal pain or tenderness, no hematuria, and no distracting injury. To be considered low risk, patients needed to meet all low-risk criteria.ResultsOf the 1,169 patients included over the 2-year study period, 29% received a CT of the abdomen and pelvis, 6% were admitted to the hospital from the observation unit for further management, 0.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.1%–1%) were diagnosed with IAI, and 0% (95% CI, 0%–0.3%) died. Patients had a median combined ED and observation length of stay of 9.5 hours. Of the 237 (20%) patients who met low-risk criteria, 7% had a CT of the abdomen and pelvis and 0% (95% CI, 0%–1.5%) were diagnosed with IAI or died.ConclusionMost BAT patients who have initially negative ED evaluations are at low risk for IAI but still require some combination of observation and CT. A subgroup of BAT patients may be safely discharged without CT or observation after the initial evaluation.

Avoiding of Nontherapeutic Laparotomies in Blunt Abdominal Trauma with Aid of Laparoscopy

Introduction: As there is particular danger that an injury to the diaphragm or intestines be overlooked. The decision in favor of surgery or nonoperative conservative treatment in abdominal trauma requires a precise diagnosis that is not always possible with imaging techniques. Owing to this circumstance, the indications for exploratory laparotomy should be generous with laparoscopy up to 41% of exploratory nontherapeutic laparotomies could be, or could have been, avoided. Methods: Only in stable blunt abdominal trauma patients. A diagnostic laparoscopy with therapeutic option should only be attempted. three trocars are used and the exploration of the abdomen is systematic, beginning with the right upper quadrant and continuing clockwise injuries to the diaphragm. Small lacerations of the intestines and mesentery can be detected and sutured endoscopically parenchymal organs Injuries can be sealed with tissue adhesive and collagen tamponade to prevent further bleeding. Results: The number of unnecessary laparotomies and the related morbidity can be reduced with routine use of laparoscopy, because it sensitivity reached 90-100% in abdominal trauma. Conclusions: In stable blunt trauma patient minimally invasive surgery has become established as a useful tool. The future holds exciting scope for this field of surgery through innovative development in computer technology and robotic systems. The advantages are reduction of morbidity, shortening of hospitalization and cost-effectiveness. Aims and objectives: The aim of this review is to show the benefits and risks of laparoscopy in blunt trauma patients. The benefits: The main benefits of laparoscopy are that it can reduce the rate of nontherapeutic and negative laparotomies,identify diaphragmatic injuries accurately, and in some cases provide a therapeutic option. It should be emphasized that the use of laparoscopy as a diagnostic ortherapeutic method in patients with trauma is reserved only for hemodynamically stable patients. It should be kept in mind that laparoscopy has limitations in the diagnosis of hollow visceral injury. Laparoscopy can detect and repair diaphragmatic injuries and exclude the risk of nontherapeutic laparotomy due to a nonbleeding injury of the spleen or liver. Further advantages are reduced morbidity, shortened hospital stay, and lower cost. The risks: (1) Overlooking of injuries, mainly involving the intestinal tract and so delaying their treatment, leading in turn to considerably increased morbidity; (2) Laparoscopy-specific complications, such as vascular and intestinal injuries; (3) Gas embolism. Missed injuries are the most common of these three problems and probably pose the most serious risk, though the literature data are very unclear on this. While some authors find that laparoscopy is inadequate for detecting intestinal injuries.3,4 Even a very experienced surgeon should not hesitate to convert to open technique if there is any uncertainty.9 Minimally invasive surgery has become established as a useful tool in the management of trauma. The future holds exciting scope for this field of surgery through innovative developments in computer technology and robotic systems. Material and methods: A literatures search was performed using Medline and the Search engine google, Springerlink and Highwire press. The following search terms were used: Laparoscopy, blunt trauma, diagnosis of abdominal trauma. Hundreds of literatures and papers published discussing this subject. The most recent selected. The selected papers were screened for farther references. Criteria for selection were the number of cases (excluded if less than 20), methods of analysis, operative procedure (universally accepted procedures were selected), and the institution where the study done.

Small bowel perforation: is urgent surgery necessary?

Controversies regarding how urgent bowel perforation should be diagnosed and treated exist in recent reports. The approach for early diagnosis is also debatable. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the relationship between treatment delay and outcome of small bowel perforation after blunt abdominal trauma and to determine the best assessment plan for the diagnosis of this injury. One hundred eleven consecutive patients with small bowel perforations caused by blunt abdominal trauma were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into four groups according to the time interval between injury and surgery. Hospital stay, time to resume oral intake, and mortality and morbidity rates were compared between groups. Physical signs, laboratory and computed tomographic findings, and the results of diagnostic peritoneal lavage were analyzed to find the most sensitive and specific test for early diagnosis of small bowel perforation. Delay in surgery for more than 24 hours did not significantly increase the mortality with modern method of treatment; however, complications increased dramatically. Hospital stay and time to resume oral intake increased significantly when surgery was delayed for more than 24 hours. Abdominal tenderness was a common finding, but it was not specific for bowel perforation. Only 40% of the computed tomographic scans were diagnostic for bowel perforations: 50% of them showed suggestive signs, and 10% were considered as negative. Persistence of abdominal signs indicated peritoneal lavage. By using cell count ratio in diagnostic peritoneal lavage and/or increased lavage amylase activity, presence of particulate matter and/or bacteria in the lavage fluid, all patients with intraperitoneal bowel perforation were diagnosed accurately before operation. Small bowel perforation has low mortality and complication rates if it is treated earlier than 24 hours after injury. The principle of "rushing to the operation suite" for a stable blunt abdominal trauma patients without detailed systemic examination is not justified. The priority of treatment for the small bowel perforation should be lower than the limb-threatening injuries. Diagnostic peritoneal lavage provides high sensitivity and specificity rates for the diagnosis of small bowel perforation if a specially designed positive criterion is applied.