Pancreatic Trauma
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Basics
Description
- Direct epigastric blow compressing pancreas against vertebral column resulting in blunt trauma
- Injury to pancreas from penetrating object
Pediatric Considerations
- Trauma affects proportionately larger areas, leading to multisystem injuries
- Children have less protective muscle and SC tissue
- Malpositioned seat belts and child abuse need to be considered in small children
- Children will less often present with hypotension
Etiology
- Penetrating trauma: Most common mechanism
- Blunt trauma: Deep location of pancreas requires significant force to cause injury:
- Steering wheel, seat belts, or bicycle handlebars to abdomen
- In children, evaluate for nonaccidental trauma
Commonly Associated Conditions
90% of pancreatic injuries associated with injuries to adjacent structures:- Liver, stomach
- Major arteries and veins
- Spleen, kidney
- Duodenum, colon, small bowel
- Common bile duct, gallbladder
- Spine: Chance fracture
-- To view the remaining sections of this topic, please log in or purchase a subscription --
Basics
Description
- Direct epigastric blow compressing pancreas against vertebral column resulting in blunt trauma
- Injury to pancreas from penetrating object
Pediatric Considerations
- Trauma affects proportionately larger areas, leading to multisystem injuries
- Children have less protective muscle and SC tissue
- Malpositioned seat belts and child abuse need to be considered in small children
- Children will less often present with hypotension
Etiology
- Penetrating trauma: Most common mechanism
- Blunt trauma: Deep location of pancreas requires significant force to cause injury:
- Steering wheel, seat belts, or bicycle handlebars to abdomen
- In children, evaluate for nonaccidental trauma
Commonly Associated Conditions
90% of pancreatic injuries associated with injuries to adjacent structures:- Liver, stomach
- Major arteries and veins
- Spleen, kidney
- Duodenum, colon, small bowel
- Common bile duct, gallbladder
- Spine: Chance fracture
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