Trauma Laparotomy

Mary K Arbuthnot, DO, Vincent Duron, MD, John Horton, MD, Steven Stylianos, MD, John M McClellan, MD, Woo S Do, MD, Ken Azarow, MD, Mubeen Jafri, MD, John D Yonge, MD, Jessica Naiditch, MD

Introduction

We are all familiar with the adage children are not just little adults and the same holds true with the management of the pediatric trauma patient. Trauma remains the leading cause of death and disability in children and adolescents and the majority is due to blunt trauma [1][2]. Although the principles of resuscitation for the injured child are the same as for adults there are differences in patterns of injury, airway anatomy, cardiorespiratory physiology, response to blood loss and thermoregulation which poses unique challenges when caring for the injured child [3]. In addition, the perioperative planning, operative approach to the trauma laparotomy, necessary equipment and postoperative management may vary based on the age of the patient and pattern of injury so a thorough understanding is essential for the successful management of the rare injured child who requires operative intervention.

see also Trauma Resuscitation and Initial Evaluation and Penetrating Trauma

contentin this topic is referred to in SCORE Abdominal Trauma overview

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Last updated: November 2, 2020