[Isolated perforations of the small intestine following blunt trauma of the abdomen].

Ten cases of isolated perforation of the small intestine after blunt abdominal injury are presented. The clinical signs are initially poor, while X-ray and laboratory findings are of little value (only 1 patient with free air on abdominal plain X-ray; only 1 case with more than 10 000 leukocytes on admission). Progressive peritonitis is the only reliable indication for immediate surgery.