[Perforations of the small intestine in closed injuries of the abdomen. Apropos of 63 cases].

The records of 63 patients with small bowel perforation after blunt abdominal trauma admitted to the Department of Surgical Pathology, University Hospital of Coimbra, from 1965 to 1981, have been reviewed to establish patterns of injury and to discuss their pathogenesis and operative management. The authors believe that injuries to the small intestine following blunt abdominal trauma are more common than is generally appreciated. Proper treatment is frequently delayed because these injuries are not recognized promptly. Factors contributing to this delay are the trivial nature of some of the responsible accidents and the often negative results of diagnostic aids.