R G Casey1, J Ryan, P Gillen. 1. Department of General Surgery, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Co Louth, Ireland. rcasey@oceanfree.net
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Motor vehicle accidents have increasingly become a major cause of serious blunt abdominal and chest injury, the pattern and mechanism of which has changed in recent years largely due to seatbelt legislation. AIM: A case of blunt abdominal and chest trauma is reported which resulted in a mesenteric tear--the small bowel subsequently herniated through and strangulated. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the need for clinical suspicion, serial physical examination and early surgery in the management of these injuries.
BACKGROUND: Motor vehicle accidents have increasingly become a major cause of serious blunt abdominal and chest injury, the pattern and mechanism of which has changed in recent years largely due to seatbelt legislation. AIM: A case of blunt abdominal and chest trauma is reported which resulted in a mesenteric tear--the small bowel subsequently herniated through and strangulated. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the need for clinical suspicion, serial physical examination and early surgery in the management of these injuries.
Authors: E Pikoulis; S Delis; N Psalidas; A Leppäniemi; K Derlopas; E Pavlakis; S Mantonakis Journal: Ann R Coll Surg Engl Date: 2000-03 Impact factor: 1.891