Blunt Abdominal Trauma with Duodenal Dissection: A Critical Case Study

Case Summary: A 22-year-old male presented with acute abdominal pain following a motorcycle accident. Initial assessment revealed hypotension, tachycardia, and signs of peritoneal irritation. Due to the lack of imaging resources, a peritoneal lavage confirmed hemoperitoneum, leading to an urgent exploratory laparotomy.

Key Findings:

  • Complete third duodenal transection with hemoperitoneum and food debris.
  • Emergency surgical intervention involved closure of duodenal stumps and gastrojejunal bypass.
  • Subsequent revision surgery corrected an anastomotic complication.
  • Patient was successfully discharged on postoperative day 18.

Broader Medical Context: The American College of Surgeons emphasizes the critical role of early surgical intervention in blunt trauma cases to reduce morbidity and mortality. Delayed diagnosis can lead to severe complications, including peritonitis and sepsis.

Relevant Links & References:

Key Takeaways:

  • Early recognition and intervention in duodenal injuries improve patient outcomes.
  • Limited-resource settings require rapid clinical judgment in the absence of imaging.
  • Multi-phase surgical management can optimize recovery in complex cases.

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