ASSESSMENT OF MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR CT-CONFIRMED SOLID ORGAN INJURIES IN BLUNT ABDOMINAL TRAUMA

Abstract

Objective:

To assess the management strategies and outcomes of computed tomography (CT) scan–confirmed solid organ injuries in patients presenting with blunt abdominal trauma.

Methods:

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi. A total of 384 patients presenting with blunt abdominal trauma and having CT scan–confirmed solid organ injuries were included. Patients with penetrating abdominal trauma or without CT confirmation of solid organ injury were excluded. Data regarding demographic characteristics, mechanism of injury, type of injured organ, and management strategies were recorded using a structured proforma. Management strategies were categorized as non-operative or operative depending on the hemodynamic status and severity of injury. Patients were monitored for clinical progress, complications, and outcomes during hospital stay. Data were entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Quantitative variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, while qualitative variables were presented as frequencies and percentages.

Results:

Among 384 patients, the majority were male (72.4%) with a mean age of 34.2 ± 12.6 years. The most common mechanism of injury was road traffic accidents (56.8%), followed by falls from height (25.0%) and assault (10.9%). The liver (40.1%) and spleen (33.3%) were the most frequently injured organs, followed by kidney injuries (19.8%). Non-operative management was successfully applied in 78.6% of patients, while 21.4% required operative intervention. Complications occurred in 9.9% of cases, and the overall mortality rate was 1.6%.

Conclusion:

CT scan plays an important role in the diagnosis and evaluation of solid organ injuries in blunt abdominal trauma. Non-operative management is effective in hemodynamically stable patients, while surgical intervention remains necessary in unstable cases.