BLUNT ABDOMINAL TRAUMA- SCENARIO IN NORTH COASTAL ANDHRA PRADESH.

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Metta Raja Gopal,
Professor,
Department of Surgery,
RIMS, Srikakulam,
Andhra Pradesh, India.
E-mail: mettarajagopal@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Blunt abdominal trauma is seen with increasing frequency in emergency rooms and continues to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality in spite of its improved recognition, diagnosis and management. Our experience in a tertiary care hospital has been reviewed to establish the patterns of injury and to assess the results of management. On the basis of this experience, it is possible to describe the most accurate and efficient means to establish a diagnosis, the diagnostic and operative procedures with the best results and the associated morbidity and mortality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective descriptive study, conducted from March 2016 to June 2017 on a total of 134 patients admitted with blunt abdominal trauma in the Department of General Surgery, King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam. This study aimed to investigate the signs and symptoms of the patients hospitalised due to blunt abdominal trauma and identify possible factors that affect morbidity and mortality.

RESULTS

Blunt abdominal trauma is very common in the age group of 30 - 40 years. More than 80% of the incidence showed male predominance. Solid organ injury, especially spleen followed by liver is the commonest intraoperative finding. Almost, 70% of the patients with blunt abdominal trauma were managed conservatively. Associated injuries like head injury were detrimental and contributed to significant mortality.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of blunt abdominal trauma is increasing. Correct diagnosis and proper management are dependent upon individual evaluation of each patient. The insidious nature of blunt abdominal injury is borne out by the fact that more than one-third of the “asymptomatic” patients had an abdominal organ injured. A high index of suspicion, adequate observation period and immediate intervention when necessary are therefore mandatory for proper care of patients with blunt abdominal trauma. Mortality and morbidity continue to be significant in blunt abdominal trauma.

KEY WORDS

Blunt Abdominal Trauma; Spleen; Liver; Laceration.