[Technology assessment of ultrasound in acute diagnosis of blunt abdominal trauma].

In this article a systematic technology assessment was used for ultrasound in blunt abdominal trauma. We found sonography to be a simple, fast and complication-free method with high sensitivity and specificity. Ruptures of the small bowel seemed to be extremely difficult to detect, especially in the early phase after blunt abdominal trauma. No basic definitions of significant free fluid and maximal limit for non-operative treatment are found in the international literature. Only the combination of prognostic factors such as mechanism of the accident, clinical examination, and the intuition of the surgeon leads to a decision.