Delayed Operation for Blunt Small Bowel Injury Poses High Risk

The inaccuracy of physical examination findings and diagnostic tests for blunt small bowel injury (SBI) can result in delayed diagnosis. The effect of such delays . . .

The inaccuracy of physical examination findings and diagnostic tests for blunt small bowel injury (SBI) can result in delayed diagnosis. The effect of such delays on mortality was assessed in this retrospective study of 198 patients with blunt SBI identified from the registries of 8 trauma centers.

Patients with full-thickness perforation were eligible; those with duodenal injury were excluded. Two expert trauma surgeons categorized SBI patients as having either multiple injury (100 patients; Abbreviated Injury Scale score ≥2) or isolated blunt SBI (98 patients; AIS>1). Mean Injury Severity Scores were 22.2 and 11.1, respectively (P<0.001). Overall, there were 21 deaths (10.6%), including 9 (4.5%) attributable to SBI. The incidence of mortal…

Reviewing Author

JA Marx