Outcome of Blunt Abdominal Traumas with Stable Hemodynamic and Positive FAST Findings.
BACKGROUND
Focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) is a highly effective first screening tool for initial classification of abdominal trauma patients. The present study was designed to evaluate the outcome of patients with blunt abdominal trauma and positive FAST findings.


METHODS
The present prospective cross-sectional study was done on patients over 7 years old with normal abdominal examination, positive FAST findings, and available abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) scan findings. The frequency of need for laparotomy as well as its probable risk factors were calculated.


RESULTS
180 patients were enrolled (mean age: 28.0 ± 11.5 years; 76.7% male). FAST findings were confirmed by abdominopelvic CT scan in only 124 (68.9%) cases. Finally, 12 (6.6%) patients needed laparotomy. Mean age of those in need of laparotomy was significantly higher than others (36.75 ± 11.37 versus 27.34 ± 11.37, p = 0.006). Higher grading of spleen (p = 0.001) and hepatic (p = 0.038) ruptures increased the probability of need for laparotomy.


CONCLUSIONS
68.9% of the positive FAST findings in patients with blunt abdominal trauma and stable hemodynamics was confirmed by abdominopelvic CT scan and only 6.6% needed laparotomy. Simultaneous presence of free fluid and air in the abdominal area, old age, and higher grading o solid organ injuries were factors that had a significant correlation with need for laparotomy.
Department of General Surgery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, IR Iran.
Firooz
F
Behboodi
Department of Preventive & Social Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Science, Rasht, IR Iran.
Zahra
Z
Mohtasham-Amiri
Department of General Surgery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, IR Iran.
Navid
N
Masjedi
Department of General Surgery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, IR Iran.
Reza
R
Shojaie
Department of General Surgery, Zanjan University of Medical Science, Zanjan, IR Iran.
Peyman
P
Sadri
Abdominal injuries; X-ray computed; nonpenetrating; patient outcome assessment; tomography; ultrasonography; wounds