Pancreatic injuries in under-age Australian rules footballers.
Blunt injury to the pancreas is rare in children. It has significant physiological effects and can result in death. The most common injury mechanism is a high-velocity motor vehicle accident. Bicycle accidents, non-accidental injuries and falls can also cause pancreatic injury.(1) Given the protected retroperitoneal location of the pancreas, it is not surprising that low-velocity injuries are an uncommon cause of pancreatic injury. Over a 12-month period we have observed three cases of blunt pancreatic injury, occurring during under-age Australian rules football (AFL) matches. These represented a spectrum of injuries from 'traumatic pancreatitis' to a devascularized distal pancreas requiring initial percutaneous drainage complicated by pseudocyst development requiring cyst gastrostomy. AFL is a free flowing game that combines certain attributes of soccer and rugby. There is an emphasis on physical contact and high-velocity interpersonal collisions are frequent.
Burton
Paul
P
The Alfred Hospital, Monash University Department of Surgery, Prahran, Victoria, Australia. paul.burton@med.monash.edu
Fenton
Edmond
E
D000293:Adolescent; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010179:Pancreas / Q000293:injuries*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*