[Isolated jejunal rupture after closed thoraco-abdominal trauma].
BACKGROUND
Short bowel disruption following blunt abdominal trauma is rare and hard to diagnose and to treat. Death rate depends both on timing of surgical procedure and on associated lesions.


METHODS
We show a case of short bowel isolated lesion following fall from mountain bike, III degree in O.I.S. Classification. Abdominopelvic US and helicoidal CT scan were performed, reveling pneumoperitonaeum due to hollow viscus disruption. Surgical procedure was performed within five hours from trauma.


RESULTS
No complications occurred in postoperative period. Upper alimentary tract X-ray proved a regular transit, without any fistula. Patient was discharged on 13th day.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparotomy must not be delayed if there is any doubt about bowel conditions: it's demonstrated that timing of surgical procedure is related to prognosis. If haemodynamic status of the patient allows, careful abdomen CT evaluation is mandatory; adequate nutritional support in postoperative period is also very important.
U.O. di Chirurgia d'Urgenza, Azienda Policlinico di Modena. antonioschiavone@inwind.it
A
A
Schiavone
M
M
Gavioli
P C
PC
Scarone
A
A
Perrone
G
G
Natalini
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007583:Jejunum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000209:etiology; D012421:Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography