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The following is a summary of “Traumatic Pancreatic Injuries and Treatment Outcomes: An Observational Retrospective Study from a High-Volume Tertiary Trauma Center,” published in the December 2024 issue of Surgery by Braden et al.

Traumatic pancreatic injuries are often challenging to diagnose and manage, with significant impacts on patient outcomes. These injuries are commonly missed or diagnosed late, requiring surgical intervention in many cases.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the outcomes and management of traumatic pancreatic injuries.  

They analyzed a 5-year (2019-2023) review using trauma registry data to identify pancreatic injuries in trauma activations of tier 1 and tier 2. The Pancreatic Organ Injury Scale (OIS) and Injury Severity Score (ISS) from the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) were also utilized. Data was analyzed by injury mechanism, associated injuries, treatment, and outcomes.  

The results showed 31 people with firearms (48.4%), stabbing (16.1%), and blunt trauma (35.5%) injuries. Firearm injuries were significantly associated with the diaphragm (P=0.047), stomach (P=0.001), and overall intrabdominal injury count (P=0.0042). Statistically significant correlations were also found between OIS, ISS, complications, and mortality. People with penetrating pancreatic injuries had a higher rate of complications and death compared to those with blunt injuries.  

They concluded that for people with penetrating injuries, a higher ISS and a more significant number of intrabdominal injuries should increase suspicion for pancreatic trauma and surgical exploration, especially when the diaphragm, stomach, transverse colon, or spleen were involved.  

Source: americanjournalofsurgery.com/article/S0002-9610(24)00694-9/abstract