Abstract

Background
: Blunt small bowel injury (SBI) is infrequent. Although it has been reported to be the third most common injury in blunt abdominal trauma, it occurs in less than 1% of blunt trauma victims. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the relationship between prognostic factors and outcomes of small bowel injury after blunt abdominal trauma. We also attempted to design an algorithm of evaluation to facilitate the detection of hollow organ injury, while at the same time reducing the risk of nontherapeutic laparotomy. Method : A retrospective chart review of all blunt trauma patients with small bowel injury (SBI) admitted to a level 3 trauma center between January 1985 and December 1996 was undertaken. Each record was reviewed for laboratory finding and diagnostic method. Result : A total of 71 patients met the inclusion criteria: 85.9% were male, the mean age was 40.9 years, the mean GCS score was 13.9, the mean RTS score was 21.5, and the mean Injury Severity Score was 16.5. Twenty-six patients had multiple injuries, and forty-five patients had isolated small bowel injuries. There were 6 deaths (8.4%), and a total of 22 patients suffered complications. Conclusion : In the case of initial management for blunt abdominal injured patients who also have multiple trauma, the time interval between injury and surgery, the trauma score (GCS, RTS), and ISS were important prognostic factors. If the patients’ initial GCS score levels were below 10, it was a good idea to use as invasive diagnostic modality (DPL) actively to reduce preventable mortality and morbidity in the emergency department.

• Keywords: Small bowel injury, Blunt abdominal trauma, Prognostic factor