Abdominal Trauma - Causes & Treatment

Twenty-two percent of serious trauma victims have abdominal trauma, which may be very challenging to detect and treat. Any patient who has had more than one trauma should be treated with a high index of suspicion, especially if the mechanism of damage suggests a serious abdominal injury.

Knowing the different kinds of injuries may help with the organization and management of trauma care. While most penetrating wounds heal on their own, they may cause serious internal bleeding and damage to nearby organs and blood vessels.

The most important first aid measures for this kind of injury are usually securing the airway and stopping bleeding. In Australia, over 90% of all serious trauma is the result of blunt abdominal trauma mechanisms such MVCs, falls, and violent blows.

While blunt trauma is less likely to result in immediate death, it is more likely to cause multiple organ failures, as well as airway, respiratory, circulatory, neurological, and musculoskeletal impairments, and persistent physical and cognitive abnormalities among survivors.

One of the leading causes of preventable mortality in trauma patients is injuries to the abdomen that go unnoticed. The primary goals of first aid are to identify the presence of damage and establish whether or not immediate medical attention is required.

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In addition to an evaluation, investigations like a CT scan or Focused Assessment of Sonography in Trauma (FAST) may detect the existence of injuries.

Causes Of Abdominal Trauma

Car accidents are a leading cause of abdominal trauma. While seat belts help prevent more serious injuries like those to the head and chest, they pose a risk to internal organs like the pancreas and intestines that might be pushed against the spine.

Children are more likely to get abdominal injuries from seat belts because their abdominal areas are softer, and because seat belts were not developed with children in mind.

Bicycle accidents are another frequent source of abdominal trauma in youngsters, particularly when the stomach is hit by the handlebars. The spleen and the kidneys are only two of the abdominal organs that might be damaged by a sports injury.

Abdominal injuries are common in youngsters, and they often occur as a result of falls or sports. When it comes to child abuse-related deaths, abdominal injuries are second only to traumatic brain injuries as the major cause.

Stabbings often do less damage than gunshot wounds since the former has larger energy output. Major intra-abdominal tissues are usually severely damaged by gunshot wounds that pierce the peritoneum, in about 90% of instances.

Treatment Of Abdominal Trauma

Abdominal trauma often necessitates hospitalization. First, stabilize the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation, and detect further injuries. Organs may require surgery. Penetrating injuries, peritonitis, or shock may need surgery.

Laparotomy is necessary if acute abdominal trauma creates a substantial, perhaps fatal hemorrhage. Stopping any bleeding and repairing any injuries are the first priorities. Due to time constraints, this treatment favors a large midline incision to get access and control hemorrhage.

Intra-abdominal injuries are often treated nonoperatively since there is no active bleeding or infection risk. CT scans help doctors to detect ailments that may be treated conservatively and rule out those that need surgery. Depending on injuries, someone may require intensive care.

Prophylactic (preventative) antibiotics are typically given for injuries that pierce the peritoneal cavity (penetrating abdominal trauma) to reduce the risk of sepsis and septic sequelae, such as septicemia, abdominal abscesses, and wound infections.

Antibiotic prophylaxis for penetrating abdominal injuries has not been widely investigated, and there is no evidence to recommend one kind or dosage over another. The unknown is how long to use these medicines.

People Also Ask

What Are The Types Of Abdominal Trauma?

Abdominal injuries include severe subcutaneous bleeding, abdominal wall laceration, intra-abdominal hemorrhage, liver rupture, diaphragm rupture, perirenal hemorrhage, and stomach and intestine puncture wounds.

What Are Signs Of Abdominal Trauma?

Abdominal trauma is abdominal damage. Pain, soreness, stiffness, and abdominal bruising are symptoms. Bleeding and infection are complications.

How Long Does It Take For Abdominal Trauma To Heal?

After 2 to 3 days, patients are usually released. They must relax for 6-8 weeks. It's unclear whether asymptomatic people need imaging before resuming full activity, particularly when heavy lifting, contact sports, or torso injuries are probable.

Conclusion

Hope this article has given you enough knowledge of abdominal trauma. If we have missed something that isn't included here, please share it with us. We would love to see your responses!

About The Authors

Dr. Bill Butcher - With more than two decades of experience, Dr. Bill Butcher aims to provide a repository for educational materials, sources of information, details of forthcoming events, and original articles related to the medical field and about health subjects that matter to you. His goal is to help make your life better, to help you find your way when faced with healthcare decisions, and to help you feel better about your health and that of your family. Bill received his medical degree at Boston University School of Medicine and spent his entire career helping people find the health and medical information, support, and services they need. His mission is to help millions of people feel fantastic by restoring them to optimal health.