Rupture of the retroperitoneal duodenum after blunt abdominal trauma

Abstract

Abstract Four cases of rupture of the retroperitoneal part of the duodenum after blunt abdominal trauma are documented. Two of the patients continued with normal activity for some hours before presenting at hospital, and although the other 2 presented shortly after the injury, the diagnosis in both was made after a period of observation. Repeated abdominal examination is the best aid to diagnosis. Rupture of the second part of the duodenum is more common, Delay in diagnosis is associated with a high mortality.