Abdominopelvic trauma: From anatomical to anatomo-physiological classification

Abstract

Abdominopelvic trauma has been for decades classified with the AAST-OIS (American Association for the Surgery of Trauma-Organ Injury Scale) classification. It has represented a milestone. At present, the medical evolutions in trauma management allowed an incredible progress in trauma decision-making and treatment. Non-operative trauma management has been widely applied. The interventional radiological procedures and the modern conception of Hybrid and Endovascular Trauma and Bleeding Management (EVTM) led to good results in increasing the rate of patients managed non-operatively, opening new scenarios and options. Even severe anatomical lesions in hemodynamically stable patients can be safely managed non-operatively. The driving issue in deciding for the best treatment is anatomy, as well as physiology, for the patient physiological derangement grade is even more important. The emergency general surgeon must be prepared in those pathophysiological issues that play the pivotal role in the team management of trauma patients. Moreover, the classification of trauma patients cannot only remain anchored to anatomical lesions. The necessity to follow the modern possibilities of treatment imposes addressing trauma using a classification based on anatomical lesions and on the physiological status of the patient.