Intra-abdominal gastrointestinal tract injuries following blunt trauma: the experience of an Australian trauma centre

Aims: The aim of the study was to use the extensive experience of an Australian Level I trauma centre to develop guidelines for diagnosis and management of significant gastrointestinal tract injuries (GITIs). Methods: This was a retrospective study of 74 patients admitted to Westmead Hospital between 1985 and 1996 who had sustained major gastrointestinal tract (GIT) injuries following blunt trauma. The patients were identified from the trauma unit database. Clinical information was retrieved from the database and augmented by a review of the medical records. Results: Motor vehicle accidents were responsible for 55 (92%) admissions. Laparotomy was performed as a result of a positive diagnostic peritoneal lavage in 26 (35.1%) patients, abdominal signs in 20 (27%), diagnostic findings on computed tomography in 19 (25.7%), haemodynamic instability in eight (10.8%) and a positive contrast study in one (1.4%) patient. There was a total of 95 injuries: one gastric (1.1%), eight duodenal (8.4%), 64 small bowel (67.3%), two appendiceal (2.1%), 19 colonic (20%) and one rectal (1.1%). Thirty day mortality was 23% (17 patients). Seven (9.5%) patients died within 24 h of injury, three (4.1%) of which were directly related to the GIT. Ten (13.5%) patients died within 2 weeks of admission, three (4.1%) of which were attributable to the GIT. Thirty day GIT morbidity was 29.7% (22 patients). The development of GIT morbidity was significantly related to a delay to laparotomy of more than 24 h ( P=0.036) and tachycardia on presentation ( P=0.023). Associated injuries, injury severity scores (ISS) and age did not significantly impact on GITI related morbidity and mortality. Discussion: Major GITIs are associated with a high mortality due to the severity and complexity of associated injuries. Morbidity from GITIs correlates to delays in diagnosis and management.