title: Blunt abdominal trauma--injury assessment in relation to early surgery.
abstract: One hundred and thirteen patients sustaining blunt abdominal trauma over a 24-month period were retrospectively divided into three groups to assess parameters of three diagnostic methods and the time-lapse before implementing surgical treatment. Diagnosis was based in group A patients (n = 20) on physical findings, plain radiology, and blood and urine examinations. Diagnostic methods in group B patients (n = 35) and in group C patients (n = 58) were as in group A but with the addition of diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) in group B or with the addition of diagnostic abdominal ultrasonography (DAU) in group C. Sixty-five patients underwent abdominal exploration. The time-lag from commencement of examination to surgery was 332.33 +/- 48.90 min, 251.82 +/- 29.08 min and 570.89 +/- 133.80 min respectively in groups A, B and C. It was significantly shorter in group B compared with group C (P = 0.03). DPL had a sensitivity of 95%, a specificity of 81% and an accuracy of 89% whilst DAU had a sensitivity of 79%, a specificity of 85% and an accuracy of 83% in detecting significant injury. The conclusion is that DPL in combination with DAU would facilitate early assessment and treatment of intra-abdominal injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital (USM), Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Visvanathan
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Low
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010533:Peritoneal Lavage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery