Operative management of penetrating trauma of the abdomen

Abstract

The modern management of penetrating abdominal trauma requires the surgeon to augment his clinical findings with information gleaned from various modalities. The pathway that is adopted ultimately is informed largely by the stability of the patient, availability of resources (including diagnostic and interventional radiology, theater, and high care facilities), and the surgeon’s experience and training. During this on-going evolution in the management of abdominal trauma, surgeons should have the courage to embrace a nonoperative approach where indicated, but this should not be at the expense of a missed injury and resultant increased morbidity and mortality to the patient.