It is any blow, cut or burn that injures any of the structures of the abdomen.
There are numerous causes that can lead to abdominal trauma: traffic accidents, accidental falls, accidents at work, stab wounds and firearm injuries, sports accidents, etc.
The main symptom is abdominal pain, and depending on the location, type of pain, onset, irradiation, relationship with breathing, changes, etc., it helps to identify complications or injured organs. It may be accompanied by abdominal distension or rigidity.
Diagnosis is made by clinical history, physical examination and an imaging test is often necessary to assess the internal organs.
Initial treatment consists of stabilisation of the patient and pain control. When there are signs of seriousness, revision of the lesions in the operating theatre may be required.
- Deborah B Diercks, Samuel Clarke. Initial evaluation and management of blunt abdominal trauma in adults. UpToDate. Jul 06, 2016.
- Donna Reyes Mendez. Overview of blunt abdominal trauma in children. UpToDate. Sep 23, 2015.
- Christopher Colwell. Ernest E Moore. Initial evaluation and management of abdominal stab wounds in adults. UpToDate. Oct 03, 2016.
- López González C. Estebarán Martín MJ. Traumatismo abdominal. Manual de protocolos y actuación en urgencias. Hospital Virgen de la Salud, Complejo Hospitalario de Toledo. Tercera edición. 2010: 1107-1112.
