BACKGROUND: The incidence of blunt abdominal injury (BAI) in the adult population has been estimated to be between 0.03% and 4.95%. However, the impact of BAI on the pediatric population remains unknown.
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of National Trauma Data Bank datasets for the years 2017-2019. We included patients under the age of 18 who experienced blunt trauma and had suffered a blunt abdominal injury with an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) severity score of 2 or higher.
RESULTS: Out of the 8064 pediatric patients with isolated abdominal trauma, 134 patients also suffered from BAI. We found no difference in the outcomes of patients with blunt adrenal injury in terms of mortality, length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital, and the number of ventilator days. Within poly-trauma patients BAI was associated with worst patient outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that BAI has minimal clinical impact on patient outcomes in isolation. However it is associated with worst outcomes in poly trauma patients suggesting correlation with increased trauma burden.
METHODS: III.

Trauma patients with blunt abdominal solid organ injuries are at high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), but the optimal time to safely administer chemical thromboprophylaxis is controversial, especially for patients who are managed nonoperatively due to increased risk of hemorrhage. We sought to compare failure of nonoperative management (NOM) and VTE events based on timing of chemical thromboprophylaxis initiation.
A systematic review was conducted in PubMed and Embase databases. Studies were included if they evaluated timing of initiation of chemical thromboprophylaxis in trauma patients who underwent NOM of blunt solid organ injuries. Outcomes included failure of NOM and incidence of VTE. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed comparing patients who received late (>48 h) versus early thromboprophylaxis initiation.
Twelve retrospective cohort studies, comprising 21,909 patients, were included. Three studies, including 6375 patients, provided data on adjusted outcomes. Pooled adjusted analysis demonstrated no difference in failure of NOM in patients receiving late versus early thromboprophylaxis (odds ratio [OR] 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.4-2.14). When including all unadjusted studies, even those at high risk of bias, there remained no difference in failure of NOM (OR 1.16, 95% CI:0.72-1.86). In the adjusted analysis for VTE events, which had 6259 patients between two studies, patients receiving late chemical thromboprophylaxis had a higher risk of VTE compared with those who received early thromboprophylaxis (OR 1.89, 95% CI:1.15-3.12).
Based on current observational evidence, initiation of prophylaxis before 48 h is associated with lower VTE rates without higher risk of failure of NOM.

Bucket-handle mesenteric tears remain a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. We aim to review the literature, including a single-surgeon series, to better understand their presentation and management. Three electronic databases (Ovid Medline, Embase, and PubMed) were searched for original research articles, describing relevant cases, from database inception to October 2021 using the following Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms: mesenteric avulsion, mesenteric tear, and blunt abdominal trauma. A retrospective review of cases managed under a single surgeon at our unit was also performed. Data extracted included demographics, mechanism of injury, presenting features, diagnostic imaging, surgical management, and patient outcome. In total, 19 studies were identified, including 22 patients (median age 34.5 years). The most common cause of injury was seat-belted road traffic accidents (77.3%), and patients commonly presented with abdominal pain (72.7%), tenderness (50%), positive seat-belt sign (54.5%), and haemodynamic compromise (45.5%). Computerised tomography scanning was the main imaging modality (68%), and the most common findings reported were abdominal free fluid (36.4%) and abdominal wall hernia (27.3%). The majority of patients were operated on within 24 hours of injury (68%), had a median length of stay of 14.5 days, and experienced an uncomplicated recovery (68%). There was no association between the development of complications and delayed surgical intervention >24 hours (p = 0.145). Our institution\'s experience was similar, with 50% of patients undergoing surgical intervention within 24 hours. The median age was 32.5 years (50% female), and the median length of stay was 11 days. A high index of suspicion, serial monitoring, including blood tests, and imaging, with a low threshold for early repeat imaging, can provide a useful guide for identifying patients with bucket-handle tears.

Post-traumatic diaphragmatic injuries can present as diaphragmatic hernia with herniation of abdominal viscera into the thoracic cavity. It is challenging for trauma surgeons to identify the delayed presentation of post-traumatic diaphragmatic injuries which require a high index of suspicion in patients who are at risk. We report a rare case of delayed diagnosis and management of post-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia in a polytrauma patient with a concise review of the literature. The patient presented after two years of post-traumatic thoracoabdominal injury due to a road traffic accident with breathing difficulty. On investigations, it was a large diaphragmatic hernia with herniation of abdominal contents into the left thoracic cavity. Laparotomy was performed with a reduction of abdominal contents from the left side of the chest along with mesh repair of the large diaphragmatic hernia. Postoperatively, the patient recovered well. The literature suggests that there should be a high level of suspicion of diaphragmatic injuries, especially when dealing with thoracoabdominal trauma or polytrauma patients. Post-traumatic diaphragmatic injuries, though rare, can lead to high morbidity or mortality if not treated on time.

UNASSIGNED: There is still no consensus regarding the role of laparoscopy in trauma cases. The purpose of this paper is to assess the value of diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy for patients with blunt or penetrating abdominal trauma by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis.
UNASSIGNED: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were systemically searched for the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCT comparative studies on effectiveness and safety of laparoscopy vs. laparotomy for the two authors independently performed the search, data extraction, and quality assessment.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 5,517 patients were enrolled in 23 eligible studies that were published in English. Meta-analysis results suggest that there is no significant difference in the incidence of missed injury and mortality between abdominal trauma patients receiving laparoscopy and those receiving laparotomy. Concerning postoperative complications, compared with patients in the open surgery group, those in the laparoscopy group are at a similar risk of intra-abdominal abscesses, thromboembolism, and ileus, while there is a decreased incidence of wound infection and pneumonia. Besides, patients in the laparoscopy group experience shorter hospitalization times and procedure times. For most outcomes, the sensitivity analysis yielded similar results to the primary analysis.
UNASSIGNED: Laparoscopic surgery is a practical alternative to laparotomy for appropriate patients. The decision to perform laparoscopy should be based on the experience of the surgeon and the resources available.

Use of antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) in trauma patients is a common practice. However, considering the increasing rates of antibiotic resistance, AP use should be questioned and limited only to specific cases. We performed a systematic review of recent literature (from year 2000), aiming to summarize the state of the art on efficacy and appropriateness of AP in patients with traumatic injuries of torso, maxillofacial complex and skin (including burns). Twenty-six articles were selected. In thoracic trauma, AP could be useful in reducing infective complications in tube thoracostomy for penetrating trauma. In maxillo-facial trauma, AP could find a role in the peri-operative trauma setting in the case of a graft or prosthetic implant. In abdominal trauma, there is a lack of consensus on the definition of contamination, infection, antibiotic therapy, and prophylaxis. In burned patients, routine AP is not suggested. In the case of human bites to the extremities, AP could find an indication. Future studies should focus on the subcategories of patients at higher risk of infection, identifying those who would benefit from AP. Attention to antimicrobial stewardship and guidelines focused on AP in trauma are required, to reduce antibiotic abuse, and increase quality research.

OBJECTIVE: Intra-abdominal injury is a major cause of morbidity in children. Computed tomography (CT) is the reference standard for the evaluation of hemodynamically stable abdominal trauma. CT has an increased risk of long-term radiation induced malignancies and a possible risk associated with the use of iodinated contrast media. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) might represent an alternative to CT in stable children with blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). Nonetheless, CEUS in pediatrics remains limited by the lack of strong evidence. The purpose of this study was to offer a systematic review on the use of CEUS in pediatric abdominal trauma.
METHODS: Electronic search of PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases of studies investigating CEUS for abdominal trauma in children. The risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool.
RESULTS: This systematic review included 7 studies. CEUS was performed with different ultrasound equipment, always with a curvilinear transducer. Six out of seven studies used a second-generation contrast agent. No immediate adverse reactions were reported. The dose of contrast agent and the scanning technique varied between studies. All CEUS exams were performed by radiologists, in the radiology department or at the bedside. No standard training was reported to become competent in CEUS. The range of sensitivity and specificity of CEUS were 85.7 to 100% and 89 to 100%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: CEUS appears to be safe and accurate to identify abdominal solid organ injuries in children with BAT. Further research is necessary to assess the feasibility of CEUS by non-radiologists, the necessary training, and the benefit-cost ratio of CEUS as a tool to potentially reduce CT scans.

UNASSIGNED: Duodenal rupture following blunt abdominal trauma is rare, and traumatic rupture of duodenal diverticula is exceptional. However, duodenum is the second most frequent location of intestinal diverticula following colon. Duodenal diverticula are common but only in few cases they are symptomatic due to the onset of complications such as inflammation, hemorrhage, or perforation. Perforation, although rare, especially post-trauma, is the most serious life threatening complication.
UNASSIGNED: We report the case of a patient who, 24 hours after a blunt trauma secondary to a car accident, complained symptoms related to the perforation of a diverticulum of the fourth portion of the duodenum. A computed tomography was performed and extraluminal fluid-air collection was identified. During emergent laparotomy, a fourth portion perforated duodenal diverticulum was diagnosed, and resected. The recovery was uneventful.
UNASSIGNED: Diagnosis of perforated duodenal diverticulum represents a challenge in diagnosis and few guidelines exist about the management of this rare occurrence, especially in a traumatic setting. The present case is the first report of traumatic perforated diverticulum of the fourth duodenal portion.
UNASSIGNED: Surgery still remain the most common approach in the treatment of this pathology, including diverticulectomy and primary repair.

BACKGROUND: Trauma injury remains a significant health risk for all on a global level. Patients with trunk trauma suffer blood loss, inflammation and hypoxia and are at risk of developing respiratory and musculoskeletal complications during their recovery. Physiotherapists are an integral part of the interprofessional team that manages patients who sustain trunk trauma.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the physiotherapy management of adult patients with trunk trauma, their quality of life, post-discharge rehabilitation service provision, and outcome measures used in the physiotherapy management.
METHODS: A non-systematic narrative review of published literature was performed.
RESULTS: Mobilisation, functional exercises, deep breathing exercises and active coughing are used to optimise patients\' respiratory and musculoskeletal functioning. Some physiotherapists educate patients on the use of pain management strategies to reduce discomfort from rib fractures, surgical sites and intercostal drainage bottle tubing. Survivors of trunk trauma experience limitations in physical function up to two years. Little is known about post-discharge rehabilitation service provision to these patients after discharge. Few physiotherapists use outcome measures as part of their daily clinical practice.
CONCLUSIONS: Physiotherapy management of patients with blunt or penetrating trunk trauma during hospitalisation and after discharge is a field of clinical practice that is rich for high-quality research related to service provision, cost analysis and interventions used.
CONCLUSIONS: Physiotherapy clinicians and researchers can use the findings of this review as a guide to their management of adult patients recovering from trunk trauma.

OBJECTIVE: Blunt abdominal trauma is the major cause of abdominal injury in children. No clear guidelines exist for the initial management of blunt pancreatic trauma in children. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of initially non-operative versus initially operative treatment in children with blunt pancreatic injury.
METHODS: Studies including children (<18 years) with blunt pancreatic injuries published in any language after year 1990 were included. Total of 849 studies were identified by searching PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL and Cochrane Database. After review, 42 studies met inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review. There were 1754 patients, of whom 1095 were initially managed non-operatively (NOM), and 659 operatively (OM). Primary outcome was non-operative management success rate, and secondary outcomes were mortality, complications (including specifically pseudocysts and pancreatic fistulas), percent of patients and days on total parenteral nutrition (TPN), length of hospital stay and readmissions.
RESULTS: There was no difference in mortality between NOM and OM groups. The incidence of pseudocysts was significantly higher in NOM group compared to OM (P<0.001), especially for AAST grade III or higher (P<0.00001). Overall incidence of pancreatic fistulas was significantly lower for NOM group (p = 0.02) but no difference was observed for AAST grades III or higher (p = 0.49). There was no difference in the length of hospital stay (P = 0.31). Duration of total parenteral nutrition was not different for all AAST grades (P = 0.35), but was significantly shorter for OM group for AAST grades III and higher (p = 0.0001). There was no overall difference in readmissions (P = 0.94). Overall success rate of initial non-operative treatment was 87%.
CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with pancreatic trauma can initially be treated non-operatively, while early surgical treatment may benefit patients with lesions of the main pancreatic duct. ERCP offers both highly accurate diagnosis and potential treatment of ductal injuries.