THE EMERGENCY ULTRASOUND IN POLYTRAUMA PATIENTS: PELVIC-ABDOMINAL AND CHEST BLUNT TRAUMA
Abstract:
Despite advances in trauma care, significant morbidity and mortality exist, which could be reduced if all injuries are immediately identified. The hypovolemia and hypoxia are two treatable factors in abdomen and chest bleeding. The aim of this study is to clarify the role of ultrasonography in the identification of the intraabdominal injuries that require surgical treatment. 1454 patients were retrospectively examined by ultrasound in our hospital with suspicion of blunt abdominal injury between January 2002 and December 2013. Hemoperitoneum and abdominal visceral injury were positively detected with 88% sensitivity and 96,8% specificity. Ultrasound is a useful instrument for identification of intraperitoneal free air (IPFA) in blunt trauma and acute abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasound can replace CT as the diagnostic modality of choice in initial survey of most patients with blunt abdominal trauma.
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