Abdominal Trauma

Question 1

What is the most common cause of penetrating injuries?

Answer 1

High velocity missiles (gun shot, stab, shrapnel)

Question 2

What is the typical management of penetrating injuries?

Answer 2

Most require laparotomy/laparoscopy

Question 3

Which organs are most commonly injured in penetrating injuries?

Answer 3

1. Liver
2. Small bowel
3. Diaphragm
4. Colon

Question 4

What is the common cause of blunt trauma?

Answer 4

Deceleration forces tear bowel from mesentery, liver from vena cava etc.

Question 5

Which organs are most commonly injured in blunt trauma?

Answer 5

1. Spleen
2. Liver
3. Retroperitoneal
4. Small bowel

Question 6

What is the FAST scan and what does it identify?

Answer 6

1. Initial focused assessment with sonography for trauma

2. Evaluates fluid in the peritoneum or pericardium