Thoracic and abdominal trauma in children

Abstract

Thoracic and abdominal trauma is relatively uncommon in children experiencing polytrauma. Survival depends on early recognition and timely management. Current review is to review literature about the thoracic and abdominal trauma in children and to appraise available evidence regarding newer modalities of trauma imaging in Emergency department(ED). Recent literature shows us that extended FAST (Focused assessment by sonography in trauma) is as effective as Computerized Tomography (CT) imaging in unstable children with abdominal and thoracic trauma. Methodical examination by primary and secondary survey along with simultaneous intervention once life threatening injury is identified improves the survival in these children. CT imaging should be performed in the ED only in hemodynamically stable children. Extended FAST examination using ultrasonography (USG) helps in early identification of life threatening injuries as well as avoiding CT imaging till the child gets stabilized in the ED.

Keywords

• trauma
• abdominal
• thoracic
• fast
• extended fast.