Blunt abdominal trauma.

Abstract

Blunt abdominal trauma results in potentially life-threatening injuries that require organized rapid evaluation and treatment. Resuscitation of hemodynamically unstable patients should be completed in the operating room if retroperitoneal hemorrhage is not strongly suspected. DPL and abdominal CT scans are methods of studying the injured abdomen, and each has advantages and disadvantages. The clinician must choose the appropriate study based on the clinical question raised by each patient. Repeated frequent physical examinations and serial laboratory tests are essential to exclude a missed injury. Deterioration of hemodynamic status or abdominal examination are indications for urgent laparotomy regardless of the initial diagnostic impressions.