Blunt pancreatic trauma: prompt diagnosis and early surgical intervention with possible splenic preservation yields good results.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess the value of computed tomography [CT] in the diagnosis of pancreatic injury and to show the results of the early surgical intervention rather than conservation and the feasibility of splenic preservation in those patients. Seven patients [five males and two females with a mean age of 13.8 years] presenting with history of blunt abdominal trauma were included in this study. The patients were resuscitated, then abdominal ultrasonographic scan and computed abdominal tomography were performed. Those patients who were suspected to have major pancreatic trauma as evidenced by CT were explored. CT detected abnormalities in the pancreas in all patients and distal pancreatectomy was carried out. When the spleen was intact, splenic preservation was attempted and it was successful in four patients. The morbidity rate was 28.6%. Pancreatic injuries should be searched for in any patient with blunt trauma of the abdomen. Computed tomography proved to be the main method of diagnosis and is fairly accurate