Abdominal trauma

Question 1

What are examples of abdominal trauma?

Answer 1

• deceleration injuries common
• in blunt trauma requiring laparotomy → spleen commonly injured (40%)
• stab wounds traverse structures → most commonly liver (40%)
• gunshot wounds → small bowel injured (50%)
• blood at urethral meatus suggests urethral tear
• high riding prostate on PR → urethral disruption
• mechanical testing for pelvic stability should only be performed once

Question 2

What are the relevant investigations for abdominal trauma?

Answer 2