Blunt injury of the neck of the pancreas: a report of nine patients.
Nine patients with injury of the neck of the pancreas following blunt abdominal injury are reported. Eight were sustained in road traffic accidents and only two victims had used seatbelts. Serious associated injuries were present in four patients and the pancreatic injury was missed in two patients. The diagnosis of this injury was made at laparotomy in six, while one patient had the diagnosis confirmed at endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP). The neck of the pancreas was the site of injury in all nine cases. Pancreatic drainage (3), suture repair (1) and distal resection with splenectomy (2) were the operative procedures performed. Pseudocyst of the pancreas (2), pancreatic fistulas (2), pancreatitis (1) and ascites (1), which necessitated a further laparotomy, accounted for postoperative morbidity. There was one postoperative death from haemorrhage due to stress ulceration. This study emphasizes that the neck of the pancreas is at special risk following blunt abdominal injury.
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D010179:Pancreas / Q000293:injuries*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*