What is Abdominal Trauma? What can happen if you unfortunately have an injury to your abdomen

Article by Doctor Nguyen Cong Hoa - Department of Intensive Care - Vinmec Times City International Hospital

Abdominal trauma is a major public health problem worldwide and it has a high prevalence and high mortality rate in every country, regardless of socioeconomic development level.
Abdominal trauma is reported to be the leading cause of death in trauma patients admitted to the emergency department.
Globally, approximately one-third of trauma patients are abdominal trauma
Abdominal trauma is the third most common injury in trauma emergency patients requiring surgery.
In developing countries, abdominal trauma is increasing at a rapid rate due to increasing urbanization, mechanization, civil violence, war and criminal activity and traffic accidents.

A sudden and marked increase in intra-abdominal pressure generated by external forces can rupture a hollow viscera. Passengers wearing seat belts without shoulder straps can be injured by such a mechanism when the belt is pressed hard against the abdomen.
The force exerted on the anterior abdominal wall can compress the abdominal viscera into the posterior thoracic cavity or the spine, crushing the tissue. Solid organs (eg, spleen and liver) are particularly susceptible to tearing or injury by this mechanism. Elderly and alcoholic patients often have loose abdominal walls and are more likely to suffer such injuries. Intracapsular splenic rupture may occur. Retroperitoneal structures, such as the duodenum or pancreas, can be damaged with posterior or very severe trauma.
The shear, torsional forces generated by the sudden deceleration can cause lacerations of both solid and hollow organs at the peritoneal attachment points.
They can also create a pedicle tear or cause dissection extending in the direction of the artery, leading to infarction of a sensitive organ. The kidneys are susceptible to injury due to the dissection of the abdominal aorta by ischemic mechanism.
Broken ribs or pelvis that can tear tissue in the abdomen

Accidental characteristics related to the severity of abdominal trauma are substantial, including those listed here:
● Vehicle type and speed
● Whether the vehicle overturned (mechanism) rollover is associated with an increased risk of serious injury)
● Patient's position in the vehicle (side-impact seat position is associated with serious chest trauma in side-impact crashes) .
Degree of entry into the passenger compartment (passenger space entry >6 inches [15 cm] is associated with an increased risk of injury).
●Severity of vehicle damage
Steering wheel deformity (steering wheel deformity has been linked to an increased risk of chest injury for front seat occupants).
● Are you wearing a seat belt? And if any have been used.
● Do the air bags deploy?.
The degree of pedestrian injury varies with the speed and size of the striking vehicle. Pedestrians often sustain a triad of injuries to the foot, trunk, and head and neck;
Danger signs after you or someone has an abdominal injury include:
Hard or painful abdomen, pressure on the victim's abdomen pain pushing the person's hand out, could be a sign of internal bleeding. Extensive bruising, a possible sign that something is going on underneath the skin. Pain in the chest area. This may indicate a rib fracture, which can cause damage to internal organs such as the spleen or lungs. Pain over one or more ribs is an urgent reason for going to the emergency department. Pressing on the abdomen causes severe pain. There is bleeding from the rectum, vagina, or urethra (that is, blood in the urine). Victim feels nauseous or vomiting.

Also be alert for symptoms of shock, rapid pulse, cold, pale skin, altered consciousness, possibly trauma that has caused bleeding inside the abdomen. Call 911 or get emergency medical help right away if the following symptoms occur or appear after injury:
Rapid pulse (more than 100 beats per minute) Headache or low blood pressure Cold skin, wetness Confusion or memory loss Restlessness or fear Thirst While waiting for emergency help to arrive, take the following steps:
Check the victim's airway to make sure it is clear. Check his or her breathing and pulse. If the person is not breathing or you have no pulse, start CPR immediately. If the person shows signs of shock, begin first aid for shock immediately. The best way is good immobilization and pain relief. Do not give the person anything to eat or drink for several hours after the injury, even if the person asks for it. For minor injuries
If you do not observe any of the serious signs listed above, it is important The best thing to do is make the person comfortable and watch for changes in their condition. Have the injured person lie down and raise the leg above heart level. Loosen any tight clothing. Use blankets to keep people warm. In most cases, if the injury is minor, eating or drinking should not be a problem. If you are concerned about the safety of eating and drinking, it is probably best to seek medical attention. While the person is resting, monitor the pulse and breathing rate. A rapid pulse or very fast or slow breathing may indicate internal bleeding or shock. If you observe any serious signs, call 911 or get the casualty to an emergency medical facility immediately. Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consulting services. and comprehensive, professional medical treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.
If you have a need for consultation and examination at Vinmec Hospitals under the nationwide health system, please book an appointment on the website for service.

MORE
Laparoscopic diagnosis and treatment of blunt abdominal trauma Classification of 5 degrees of splenic rupture in blunt abdominal trauma Classification of 6 degrees of liver rupture in blunt abdominal trauma