Incidence and characteristics of pancreatic injuries among trauma patients admitted to a Norwegian trauma centre: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic injuries are rare. Reports are lacking from defined European populations covering all ages and genders and in areas with a low prevalence of penetrating trauma. We aimed to review pancreatic injuries identified within a defined population.

METHODS

Observational cohort study from a prospectively maintained trauma registry and all patients coded for a pancreatic injury between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2018.

RESULTS

A total of 14 patients with pancreatic injury were identified over a 15-year time period. Pancreatic injuries represented 0,19% (14/7207) of all trauma patients and 3,1% (14/454) of patients with documented abdominal injuries. Nine patients 64% (9/14) were children, representing 1% (9/869) of all injured children in the registry and 11,4% (9/79) of children with documented abdominal injuries. Median age was 10,5 years (range 3-58). Ten were male (71%) and 86% (12/14) suffered blunt trauma. Median AAST-OIS was 2 (1-4). Single organ injury occurred in 43% (6/14). Concomitant liver injury was the most frequent associated intra-abdominal injury found in 29% (4/14). Four patients (29%) had associated injuries in other body regions, all thoracic injuries. Median ISS was 9,5 (4-41).Operative management was needed for four of the pancreatic injuries, one spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy, one spleen-sacrificing distal pancreatectomy and two peripancreatic drainages. One patient died within 30-days, but the death was unrelated to the pancreatic injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Incidence of pancreatic injuries is low, even among trauma patients with documented abdominal injuries. Most pancreatic injuries occurred in children. Injuries requiring surgery was rare.