Surgical Outcomes Following Gastrointestinal Injury Due to Blunt Abdominal Trauma

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Gastrointestinal injuries following blunt abdominal trauma are relatively uncommon but may be associated with considerable postoperative morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the pattern of gastrointestinal injury, operative management, and early surgical outcomes among affected patients. Methods & Materials: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Surgery, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh, from March to August 2013. A total of 50 patients with gastrointestinal injury following blunt abdominal trauma who underwent laparotomy were included. Demographic and clinical characteristics, anatomical site and type of gastrointestinal injury, associated injuries, operative procedures, postoperative complications, mortality, and hospital stay were recorded. Data were analyzed descriptively using SPSS version 11.0. Results: The mean age was 32.22 years, and 44 patients (88.0%) were male. Motor vehicle accidents involving passengers were the most frequent mechanism of injury, accounting for 28 cases (56.0%). Isolated small-bowel injury occurred in 40 patients (80.0%), isolated large-bowel injury in 8 (16.0%), and combined small- and large-bowel injury in 2 (4.0%). Jejunal injury was the most frequent individual anatomical pattern, occurring in 24 patients (48.0%). Simple repair was performed in 38 patients (76.0%), while resection and anastomosis was required in 8 (16.0%). At least one postoperative complication occurred in 30 patients (60.0%). Wound infection and pulmonary infection were the most frequent complications, each affecting 10 patients (20.0% of the total cohort). Overall mortality was 3/50 (6.0%). Among the 47 survivors, 36 (76.6%) had a postoperative hospital stay of 7-10 days. Conclusion: Small-bowel injury, particularly jejunal involvement, predominated among surgically managed gastrointestinal injuries following blunt abdominal trauma. Simple repair was the most frequent operative procedure, while postoperative morbidity remained common despite relatively low observed mortality.