Clinical Outcome of Blunt Abdominal Trauma in Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Blunt abdominal trauma occurs when injury to organs inside abdominal cavity is present due to external forces exerted over abdomen as result of trauma. Wide spectrum of clinical presentation is seen ranging from milder forms of injury to fatal solid organ injuries with irreversible shock and ongoing bleeding. Management ranges from watchful observation to emergency laparotomy. Aim of this study was to evaluate different clinical presentation, organ specific injury and management of blunt abdominal trauma. Material and Methods: A retrospective study with 25 patients sustaining Blunt abdominal trauma who came to Trauma centre in Guru Gobindsingh Government Hospital, Jamnagar attached to medical college from 2016 to 2018 were included. The patients were selected randomly. Results: Blunt abdominal injury was seen in all age from 1 to 60 years. Highest incidence noted in age group 11 to 20 years. Male predominance was noted with Male: Female ratio21:4 of 5.25:1.Most common mode of injury was road traffic accident (44%). Most common injured organ was Liver (32%). Liver and spleen injuries were associated with rib fractures. Abdominal pain and tenderness was most common clinical presentation (90%). Patients with hemodynamic instability had more mortality. Conclusion: Blunt abdominal injury is one of the commonest injuries encountered in polytrauma patients. Morbidity and mortality can be prevented by timely initial resuscitation and correct diagnosis as well as management (operative or non operative) which depend on patient's hemodynamic stability and findings of imaging studies.