How is abdominal trauma treated?

Treatment. Initial treatment involves stabilizing the patient enough to ensure adequate airway, breathing, and circulation, and identifying other injuries. Surgery may be needed to repair injured organs. Surgical exploration is necessary for people with penetrating injuries and signs of peritonitis or shock.

What are 4 potential problems of abdominal injuries?

Muscle guarding, back and flank pain, nausea, vomiting, and even shock are possible with significant trauma to the kidneys. With enough force transferred to the abdominal area, intestinal damage and even bowel perforation can occur.

What are the main causes of abdominal wounds?

[11] reported motor vehicle crashes (MVCs), fall from height and assaults to be the most common causes of blunt abdominal trauma. The penetrating trauma is mainly caused by gunshot, stab, and other objects that enter the peritoneal cavity.

Are abdominal injuries common?

Abdominal trauma is the most common unrecognized cause of fatal injuries. Hypovolemic shock can occur from “hidden” intra-abdominal sources.

What is the best treatment for a laceration to the abdominal region?

Control bleeding and cover any wound Sometimes the patient can change position slightly to help the wound to close. If the intestines are visible, DO NOT touch or try to replace them. Cover a gaping wound with sterile dressings soaked in warm water to avoid damage to organs.

What are four signs and symptoms of an abdominal injury?

Recognizing abdominal injuries

• Abdominal pain.
• Tenderness over the injured area.
• Rigid abdomen.
• Left arm and shoulder pain (spleen)
• Right-sided abdominal pain and right shoulder pain (liver)
• Blood in the urine (kidney)
• Cold, sweaty skin (early signs of shock)

How long does it take an abdominal strain to heal?

A mild strain may heal within a few weeks. A more severe strain may take 6 weeks or longer.

What are the complications of abdominal injury?

Complications of Abdominal Injuries

• Hematoma rupture.
• Intra-abdominal collection of pus (abscess. Most people have constant abdominal pain and a fever. Computed tomography or another imaging test can distinguish an abscess… …
• Intestine blockage (obstruction. The most common causes… …
• Abdominal compartment syndrome.

What are the five most reliable signs & symptoms of blunt abdominal trauma?

The most reliable signs and symptoms in alert patients are as follows:

• Pain.
• Tenderness.
• Gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
• Hypovolemia.
• Evidence of peritoneal irritation.

What are symptoms of abdominal bleeding?

What are the symptoms of GI bleeding?

• black or tarry stool.
• bright red blood in vomit.
• cramps in the abdomen.
• dark or bright red blood mixed with stool.
• dizziness or faintness.
• feeling tired.
• paleness.
• shortness of breath.

How do you treat an open abdominal wound?

To care for an open wound to the abdomen, follow these steps:

1. Put on disposable gloves or use another barrier.
2. Carefully position the person on his or her back with the knees bent, if that position does not cause pain.
3. Do not apply direct pressure.
4. Do not push any protruding organs back into the open wound.

What is the most common cause of abdominal injuries?

Abdominal trauma caused by blunt force is a common presentation in the emergency room seen in adults and children. The chief cause of blunt abdominal trauma in the United States is motor vehicle accidents.

When should you go to ER for abdominal trauma?

However, the injury may be more serious and require an emergency room visit if the person: Feels nauseous or is vomiting. Experience new/severe back pain. Has difficulty going to the bathroom.

What is the difference between a thoracic and an abdominal injury?

If thoracic and abdominal injuries both present, thoracic injuries are usually more symptomatic and will distract attention from abdominal pain, which is usually less localized and specific. Abdominal pain can be vague and diffuse or localized to a quadrant.

Which organ is most commonly injured in blunt abdominal trauma?

For blunt trauma injuries, the liver is the most commonly affected, followed by the spleen. The liver, as the largest organ, is more liable to injury.

What position should you place someone with an abdominal wound?

Position the casualty on his back with his knees up (flexed). This position helps to prevent further exposure of the abdominal organs, lessen pain, and control shock.

What is abdominal wound?

A traumatic injury or surgical incision which may be superficial or extend to intraperitoneal or extraperitoneal organs or tissues.

Why is the abdomen more vulnerable to damage?

Abdominal organs are relatively susceptible to injury because: The relatively small size of the patient allows a single impact to injure multiple organ systems. The abdominal wall is relatively thin (less muscle & less subcutaneous fat), so it provides less protection.

What are the first signs of internal bleeding?

Signs and symptoms of internal bleeding

• weakness, usually on one side of your body.
• numbness, usually on one side of your body.
• tingling, especially in hands and feet.
• severe, sudden headache.
• difficulty swallowing or chewing.
• change in vision or hearing.
• loss of balance, coordination, and eye focus.

Can internal bleeding heal on its own?

Sometimes, internal bleeding from trauma stops on its own. Ongoing or severe internal bleeding due to trauma requires surgery to correct the problem. When internal bleeding is severe, emergency surgery may take place within minutes after arrival at the hospital.

How is an abdominal strain diagnosed?

How are abdominal muscle strains (pulled stomach muscles) diagnosed? Your healthcare provider can diagnose a pulled stomach muscle based on symptoms and a physical exam. Depending on the cause of the injury and your symptoms, you may get: X-rays to check for ribcage injuries, spinal fractures or other broken bones.

Can torn stomach muscles be repaired?

How the muscle is repaired. Diastasis recti can be corrected by a general surgeon, but plastic surgeons routinely do this as part of their tummy tuck procedure. The surgery involves folding over the stretched tissue of the linea alba and suturing the two sides of the rectus abdominis muscle together.

What is a closed abdominal injury?

A blunt abdominal injury is a direct blow to the abdomen without an open wound. Organs such as your pancreas, liver, spleen, or bladder may be injured. Your intestines may also be injured. These injuries may cause internal bleeding.

What are the complications of internal abdominal injury?

Complications associated with blunt abdominal trauma include but are not limited to the following:

• Missed injuries.
• Delays in diagnosis.
• Delays in treatment.
• Iatrogenic injuries.
• Intra-abdominal sepsis and abscess.
• Inadequate resuscitation.
• Delayed splenic rupture.

Which of the following is most important when caring for the abdominal trauma patient?

Assessment of hemodynamic stability is the most important initial concern in the evaluation of a patient with blunt abdominal trauma.

Which of the following organs is at most risk for injury as the result of a pelvic fracture?

In severe pelvic fractures (Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] > or =4), the incidence of associated intraabdominal injuries was 30.7%, and the most commonly injured organs were the bladder and urethra (14.6%).