[The comparison of the results of the conservative treatment between isolated solid organ injuries and those injuries associated with extraabdominal injuries after blunt abdominal trauma between isolated solid organ injuries and those injuries associated with extraabdominal injuries after blunt abdominal trauma].

BACKGROUND

To determine whether conservative treatment in blunt abdominal solid organ injuries associated with extraabdominal trauma is safe or not.

METHODS

Between December 1998 and December 2001, 49 patients were admitted with blunt abdominal trauma, 34 of whom were hemodynamically stable. These 34 patients were divided into two groups. Seventeen patients had isolated abdominal solid organ injuries (Group I) and 17 patients had associated extraabdominal injuries (Group II). The results of conservative treatment, blood pressure values, pulse rates, ages, gender, abdominal solid organ injury scores, the etiologies of trauma, the number of the blood transfusions, morbidity and mortality rates, and hospital stays were compared.

RESULTS

The blood pressure values and pulse rates as measured in our emergency room, abdominal solid organ injury scores, ages, gender, the results of conservative treatment, the etiologies of trauma, morbidity and mortality rates were similar in both groups. Comparisons between hospital stays and numbers of the blood transfusion have show statistically significant differences in favour of group II. No patients had hollow viscus injury.

CONCLUSION

Conservative treatment is safe for hemodynamically stable blunt abdominal trauma patients with solid organ injury but no hollow viscus injury, even if they have extraabdominal injuries. The existence of extraabdominal injuries, however, prolongs the hospital stay and increases the need of the blood transfusion.