Traumatic small bowel and mesentery injuries (SBMI)

Abstract

The small bowel is the most frequently involved hollow viscus in abdominal trauma. Injuries occur more often after penetrating than blunt trauma. In the presence of free peritoneal fluid or air at radiology, an injury of the intestine must be excluded. The simultaneous trauma of solid organs makes the diagnosis of bowel lesion more tricky. Clinical examination and laboratory and radiological findings are useful for prompt diagnosis, but traumatic small bowel injuries remain a diagnostic challenge. Success of treatment is mainly related to early surgery, normal blood pressure, and limited extension of injury.