Fascia, muscle and peritoneal rupture without any skin lesion as a result of blunt abdominal trauma--a case report

• Published in: Acta chirurgica belgica Vol. 108; no. 6; p. 774
• Main Authors: Narci, A, Sen, Tolga Altuğ, Köken, Reşit
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.11.2008
• Subjects: Abdominal Injuries - etiology; Abdominal Injuries - surgery; Abdominal Muscles - injuries; Accidental Falls; Bicycling - injuries; Child; Fascia - injuries; Hernia; Humans; Intestinal Diseases - etiology; Intestinal Diseases - surgery; Male; Peritoneum - injuries; Rupture; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Wounds, Nonpenetrating - surgery
• ISSN: 0001-5458
• DOI: 10.1080/00015458.2008.11680338

Blunt abdominal trauma is one of the important causes of morbidity and mortality in childhood. Rapid and correct diagnosis is critical for blunt abdominal trauma cases. A twelve-year-old male was admitted to our emergency service following a bicycle accident. He had mild abdominal discomfort by palpation located at the lower right abdominal quadrant. A hyperaemic area of 1 x 4 cm, was present on the skin surface. During the CT scan examination, a 1 x 1.8 cm rupture of the right rectus abmominis muscle at the pelvic inlet level was detected. Intra-operatively, we detected an approximately 10 cm irregular fascial rupture, an 8-10 cm muscular rupture of the rectus abdominis muscle and also a 10 cm peritoneal rupture. Blunt abdominal trauma may cause severe intra-abdominal tissue and visceral injuries, even if no important clinical findings are present. So, all standard diagnostic procedures must be called into mind in order not to overlook severe intra-abdominal injuries.