A Clinical Study of Traumatic Duodenal Injury

PURPOSE: Traumatic duodenal injury is rare. There is no consensus on what type of repair should be performed for duodenal perforations with respect to their varying severity. As a result, surgeons are confronted with the dilemma of choosing between several diagnostic tests and many surgical procedures. In this study, we report our experience with treating traumatic duodenal injury and also offer a review of the literature. METHODS: Seventeen patients with duodenal injury following abdominal trauma were treated by several methods between January 1992 and October 2006. Based on review of the medical records, we classified the patients as having grade I through V duodenal injury using the scale constructed by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST). We also noted clinical features, operative management, and outcome. RESULTS: Among 17 patients, one patient who had a duodenal intramural hematoma was treated by conservative management. Seven patients were treated by duodenojejunostomy, with only one complication. The remaining 9 patients underwent various operations, including primary closure alone (n=3), primary closure with jejunal patch (n=1), primary closure with duodenostomy (n=3), and pancreaticoduodenectomy (n=2). The complication rate among patients who underwent surgery within 24 hours after injury was 1 case among 13. However, complications occurred in all 4 surgical cases undertaken more than 24 hours after injury. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis (within 24 hours) and thorough inspection during exploration provide the best means toward reducing complications associated with traumatic duodenal injury.

A Clinical Study of Traumatic Duodenal Injury

PURPOSE: Traumatic duodenal injury is rare. There is no consensus on what type of repair should be performed for duodenal perforations with respect to their varying severity. As a result, surgeons are confronted with the dilemma of choosing between several diagnostic tests and many surgical procedures. In this study, we report our experience with treating traumatic duodenal injury and also offer a review of the literature. METHODS: Seventeen patients with duodenal injury following abdominal trauma were treated by several methods between January 1992 and October 2006. Based on review of the medical records, we classified the patients as having grade I through V duodenal injury using the scale constructed by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST). We also noted clinical features, operative management, and outcome. RESULTS: Among 17 patients, one patient who had a duodenal intramural hematoma was treated by conservative management. Seven patients were treated by duodenojejunostomy, with only one complication. The remaining 9 patients underwent various operations, including primary closure alone (n=3), primary closure with jejunal patch (n=1), primary closure with duodenostomy (n=3), and pancreaticoduodenectomy (n=2). The complication rate among patients who underwent surgery within 24 hours after injury was 1 case among 13. However, complications occurred in all 4 surgical cases undertaken more than 24 hours after injury. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis (within 24 hours) and thorough inspection during exploration provide the best means toward reducing complications associated with traumatic duodenal injury.

An Ileal Duplication in a 12-year-old Girl which was Resected by Laparoscopy-assisted Surgery

Gastrointestinal duplication is a rare congenital anomaly which can occur anywhere along the digestive tract. The most common site is the mesenteric border of the terminal ileum. Intestinal duplication usually becomes symptomatic early in life with the severity of symptoms depending on the location and type of mucosal lining. Ectopic gastric mucosa is an associated possibility. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage is the most serious complication, which can cause severe anemia and shock. Another complication, although rare, is carcinoma in a duplicate cyst. We experienced an unusual case of a 12-years-old girl who presented with intermittent abdominal pain and hematochezia. There was no abnormality on Meckel's scan. Abdominal CT revealed a cystic mass in the pelvic cavity and subsequent transabdominal ultrasound showed the double-layered wall of the duplication. We performed laparoscopy-assisted, segmental resection of the ileum. The patient was discharged without any complication on the 7th postoperative day.