Blunt abdominal trauma: conservative Vs surgical management

ABSTRACT

Blunt trauma to the abdomen is by far the most common mechanism of injury Possible investigative modalities include; Diagnostic peritoneal lavage [DPL], Focused Abdominal Sonography For Trauma [FAST], computed tomography [CT] scanning and laparoscopy. There is an increasing volume of data supporting the non-operative management of adult patients with solid organ injury from blunt abdominal trauma. Comparative study of conservative versus operative management for blunt abdominal trauma and assessment of the value of preoperative investigations in decision-making. This study included 50 patients with the clinical diagnosis of blunt abdominal trauma, admitted from October 2002 to July 2003. Haemodynamic stability of the patient is the key determinant for the choice of the appropriate investigation or management of solid organ injuries following blunt abdominal trauma. Unstable patients with positive DPL require laparotomy, while in haemodynamically stable patients; CT is the investigation of choice. Nowadays, conservative treatment in a circulatory-stable multiply injured patient is the standard modality of treatment