Trauma to the Abdomen and Pelvis

Abstract

Abdominal trauma accounts for approximately 12% of all trauma. The evaluation of abdominal trauma is difficult as the patient may have concomitant distracting injuries or alteration of mental status. As a result, a systematic approach to abdominal trauma is needed to ensure that life threatening injuries are not missed. The evaluation and management of abdominal trauma is directed by the Western and Eastern Trauma Association guidelines. Trauma to the abdomen is divided into two main categories, penetrating and blunt. The initial steps in management of both types are determined by the hemodynamic stability of the patient. Unstable patients with either pattern of injury are emergently taken to the operating room (OR) for exploration. Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) is being used at select trauma centers in unstable patients with abdominal trauma that are unresponsive to standard trauma resuscitation. For hemodynamically stable patient with penetrating trauma, recent data on selective non-operative management has shown promising outcomes. Patients with tenuous hemodynamics and blunt abdominal trauma are resuscitated with blood transfusions while being worked up by a Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) exam or deep peritoneal lavage (DPL). If the patient stabilizes further work up with labs and imaging is performed. Patients that remain tenuous should be taken to the OR. Hemodynamically stable patients with blunt trauma and evidence of peritonitis on exam can be evaluated with labs and imaging to assess for organ injury. Non- tender patients can be evaluated with labs and serial abdominal exams. The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) organ injury scales are used to guide the definitive management of patients with intraabdominal injury. The Young-Burgess Classification System can be used to characterize pelvic fractures and to guide stabilization and definitive management. Tables demonstrate the AAST Injury Scales for the different abdominal organs. Images demonstrate the FAST exam and CT findings for different abdominal organs. This review contains 14 figures, 6 tables and 48 references Key Words: Abdominal Trauma, Penetrating Trauma, Blunt Trauma, FAST exam, Liver Trauma, Splenic Trauma, Intestinal Trauma, Pancreatic Trauma, Diaphragmatic Trauma, Aortic Trauma, Pelvic Fracture, Deep peritoneal lavage, DPL, Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma, REBOA, Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta