A Clinical Study of Patients with Small Bowel Injury Due to Blunt Abdominal Trauma with Reference to Its Surgical Management and Outcome

Abstract Background: Traumatic small bowel injury is a significant public health issue worldwide at all socioeconomic levels. Our goal is to describe the clinical profile of traumatic gut injury and the factors affecting the outcome. Materials and Methods: This prospective study enrolled 50 patients who had clinic-radiological evidence of small bowel injury following abdominal trauma and had surgery during the study period. Patients’ demographic details, their clinical signs and symptoms, relevant investigations, treatment approach, hospital care records during the perioperative period, and outcomes are collected and analyzed. Results: The mean age was 36.46 years, with the male-female ratio being 6.1:1. Other associated injuries were found in 56% of patients. The injury was found to involve mostly the jejunum (74%), followed by the ileum (24%) and the duodenum (2%). Of these patients, 23 had primary repair, 19 required resection-anastomosis, and 7 required diversions. Seventeen patients developed postoperative complications, with surgical site infection (16%) being the most frequent and sepsis being the most fatal. The mortality rate was 18%, and the death rate was directly related to the shock at the time of admission ( P = 0.001). The majority (95.1%) of survivors had a hospital stay of <14 days. Conclusion: Jejunoileal injury is the most common form of traumatic small bowel injury following road traffic accidents. It mostly involves young and physically active populations. Injury severity and associated other injuries determine shock, which also relates to high mortality. The length of the hospital stay depends on the type of surgery, postoperative complications, and associated injuries.