Abstract
Aim: In this study, we aimed to determine the validity of CT scan as an accurate diagnostic tool in the management of patients with blunt abdominal trauma.
Material and Methods: This prospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Surgery, Northern Medical Tower, in Arar Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 2 years from January 2018 to December 2019. Inclusion criteria were patients who admitted to the emergency room with blunt abdominal trauma due to motor car accident (MCA), h/o fall, assault, etc. and they were hemodynamically stable and underwent computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen. Exclusion criteria were hemodynamically unstable patients with obvious peritoneal signs and penetrating abdominal trauma. The CT findings were compared and correlated with the operative findings. The variables of the study are demographic data, mechanism of trauma, management (conservative or surgical), and clinical outcomes.
Results: This study included 340 patients with blunt abdominal trauma, 306 (90 %) males and 34 (10 %) females with a ratio of M 9:1 F. The age of the patients ranged from 12 to 65 years with the mean age of 36.15 +/- 1.5 years. Road traffic accident (75%) was the most common mechanism of injury. Spleen (49%) was the commonest organ injured and the second common organ was liver (19%). Of the total 340 patients, 132 patients had clinical presentation of solid intra-abdominal organ damage (39%) and in 208(61%) patients there was no intra-abdominal organ damage. Thus, 313 (92 %) patients were conservatively managed and 27 ( 8%) patients underwent surgery. There were 4 (1%) deaths.
Discussion: CT scan is an accurate diagnostic tool in the evaluation and management of blunt abdominal trauma patients. Negative CT scan findings avoid unnecessary emergency abdominal exploration.