Upper abdominal injuries

Abstract

The incidence of upper abdominal injuries is not confined to automobile users, but with the great increase in road traffic, the majority of these injuries result from road traffic accidents. There are various mechanisms by which this particular type of trauma may be produced; as a result, more than one internal organ may be involved. One must beware of associated injuries to the chest, skull and skeleton. Six cases of severe upper abdominal injury have been reported. Their immediate and subsequent management has been discussed. It is obvious from the case histories and a review of the relevant literature that awareness of the various possibilities is the first prerequisite for a proper assessment and treatment of the patient. One must also beware of the presence of associated injuries which may be masked by the severity of trauma to one or other viscus.