Management of pancreatic trauma in adult patients: a single centre experience

Abstract

Background: Pancreatic trauma is very rare and its management is complex. The aim of this study was to report our experience in the management of pancreatic trauma.Methods: All patients who were admitted with pancreatic trauma from May 2017 to May 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic data and baseline characteristics were recorded. Grading of pancreatic trauma was carried out according to the American Association for surgery for Trauma (AAST). Data were represented by frequency and mean.Results: A total of 24 patients were admitted with pancreatic trauma in the study period. Road traffic accident (n=17) was the leading cause followed by falls (n=5) and assault (n=2). Out of 24 patients, 3 patients had grade I pancreatic injury, 6 patients had grade II AAST injury, 9 patients had grade III injury and 6 patients had grade IV injury. No patients had grade V injury. Mean hospital stay was 12.3±4.2 days. One patient with grade 2 injury underwent surgery for liver laceration, all others were managed conservatively. Patients with grade 3 and 4 injuries were managed conservatively. One patient with grade 3 injury required, cystogastrostomy for pseudocyst 1 month after the index admission. Two patients of grade 4 injury underwent surgery, one patient for traumatic pseudocyst after 1 month and another patient for bleeding pseudoaneurysm of gastroduodenal artery 1 month after trauma. No patient underwent pancreatectomy. There was no mortality in the study population.Conclusions: Pancreatic trauma can be managed conservatively irrespective of the grade of injury in haemodynamically stable patients.