[Diagnosis and management of blunt pancreatic trauma].

This study aims to review the conclusions of relevant articles of the past decades concerning the management of both adult and childhood pancreatic trauma. Classifications and their reliability are revised. We enlist scaling systems that can help in making decision whether to operate or to treat conservatively, from physical examination to diagnostic measures and complications. To date, the treatment principles of pancreatic trauma are not based either on prospective or on randomised trials. The database search of studies retrieved only retrospective and/or small case cohorts, case reports and expert opinions (levels 4 and 5 of evidence). However, it is a generally accepted conviction that the damage of the main pancreatic duct determines if the pancreatic injury is of low or high grade. Available classifications are based on the same principle. Conservative treatment is feasible given that the patient is hemodinamically stable and the pancreatic duct is unimpaired. If duct lesion is discovered, adult cases are to be treated with minimally invasive (percutaneous or endoscopic) measures or surgically (including reconstruction, resection and drainage). The management of childhood injuries has controversial literature. Many arguments can be enumerated on the operative as also on the non-operative approach, this confusion is to be clarified in the future. The highest morbidity rates are derived from the late diagnosis of the pancreatic duct, while increased mortality is seen in t...
Source: Orvosi Hetilap - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Orv Hetil Source Type: research