Contribution of FAST Echo in the Management of Traumatic Abdominal Emergencies in the Surgical Emergency Department of the National Hospital of Niamey

Objective: Review the FAST echo in the management of traumatic abdominal emergencies in the emergency department of the National Hospital of Niamey (HNN). Patients and Method: This was a prospective study that took place over a period of 6 months, from February 2 to August 2, 2024. The following variables were studied: age, gender, circumstances of the trauma, results of the Fast echo, intraoperative diagnosis, treatment and evolution. Results: During the period of our study, 59 patients with abdominal trauma or multiple trauma were collected out of a total of 2,189 admissions, i.e. a frequency of 2.70%. Male sex predominated in 88.14% (n=52); The mean age was 24.8 ± 15.5 years with extremes ranging from 20 months to 70 years. The age group between 15 and 30 years was the most represented with 52.54% (n = 31). Schoolchildren were the most affected in 35.57% (n = 21); road accidents (RAA) represented the main circumstance of occurrence of trauma in 79.66% (n = 47). The FAST echo was positive in 52.54% (n = 31). The lesions found on the FAST echo were mainly interhepatorenal effusion and intersplenorenal effusion in 38.98% (n = 21) and 32.20% (n = 19) respectively. Surgical treatment was indicated in 49.15% (n = 29); Splenic rupture was the most common lesion observed per-op in 36.36%. The surgical procedures frequently performed were splenectomy in 36.36% (n=4) and wound washing and suturing in 36.36% (n=4). The evolution was favorable in 59.32 % (n=43). The mortality rate was 32.40%. Conclusion: Abdominal trauma is common in NNH. FAST echo is a rapid diagnostic tool in the initial assessment chain of trauma patients, especially with suspected intra-abdominal or thoracic injury.