Blunt trauma - related isolated pancreatic injury

Background: Pancreatic injuries arising from blunt trauma are rarely seen. Diagnosis and treatment are difficult because of retroperitoneal localization of the organ. We present four pancreatic cases with isolated pancreatic injury due to blunt abdominal trauma. Methods: This retrospective study included four pancreatic patients who were operated on due to isolated injury caused by blunt abdominal trauma at our department between January 2004 and October 2010. Results: The patients consisted of three males and one female. One of them was in stage IV and the rest were in stage III. All underwent pancreaticojejunostomy, distal pancreatectomy, distal pancreatectomy + splenectomy and drainage, respectively. Fistula developed in two of them, and abscess developed in one, while the other one died. Conclusion: Diagnosis may be delayed since the clinical condition is initially stable. Tomography remains one of the most important diagnostic tools. Common risk factors for morbidity and mortality are the presence of ductal injury and delayed laparotomy (Tab. 1, Fig. 4, Ref. 22). Full Text in PDF www.elis.sk.