Hollow viscous injury in the pediatric patient.

Injuries to the gastrointestinal tract account for 1% to 15% of intraabdominal injuries in children. Most hollow visceral injuries occur following some form of blunt trauma and motor vehicle accidents remain the most common mechanism of injury. The diagnosis of blunt intestinal injury is difficult and often delayed. Current imaging modalities are imprecise and contribute to delay. Delay is associated with morbidity and mortality in both children and adults, but the length of delay remains controversial. The purpose of this review is to examine the current diagnosis and management of hollow visceral injury in children.