Spectrum of abdominal organ injury in a primary blast type

IntroductionAbdominal organ injury in a primary blast type is always challenging for diagnosis. Air containing abdominal viscera is most vulnerable to effects of primary blast injury.

In any patient exposed to a primary blast wave who presents with an acute abdomen, an abdominal organ injury is to be kept in a clinical suspicion.Aim: Study various abdominal organ injuries occurring in a primary type of blast injury.Material and methodsAll those who had exploratory laparotomy for abdominal organ injuries after a primary blast injury for a period of 10 years from January1998 - January 2008 were included in this retrospective study.

Results: Total 154 patients had laparotomy for abdominal organ injuries with a primary blast type of injury. Small intestine was damaged in 48 patients (31.1%) followed by spleen in 22.7 % cases.

54 patients (35.06%) had more than one organ injured .Liver laceration was present in 30 patients (19.48%). Multiple small gut perforations were present in 37 patients (77.08%).

Negative laparotomy was found in 5 patients (3.24%) whereas 3 (1.94%) had re-exploration. Mortality was present in 6 patients (3.89%).

Conclusions: Primary blast injury causes varied abdominal organ injuries.

Single or multiple organ damage can be there. Small intestine is commonest viscera injured.

Laparotomy gives final diagnosis.

Author: Imtiaz WaniFazal ParrayTariq SheikhRauf WaniAbid AminImran GulMir Nazir
Credits/Source: World Journal of Emergency Surgery 2009, 4:46

Published on: 2009-12-21

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