FACTORS RELATED TO OUTCOME IN BLUNT INTESTINAL INJURIES REQUIRING OPERATION

Associated factors related to outcome following blunt intestinal traum a requiring operative therapy were retrospectively reviewed in all tra uma patients admitted to one Level I trauma center. Over 4.5 years, 75 98 trauma patients were evaluated, with 62 patients having sustained 9 2 blunt intestinal injuries requiring operative intervention. Mean age was 34.5 years; mean Injury Severity Score was 22. Mechanism of injur y was motor vehicle accident in 50 (81%), with 80 per cent being drive rs. Associated intra-abdominal injuries occurred in 46 (74%) patients. Extra-abdominal injuries occurred in 56 patients (90%). Thirty-one pa tients suffered 82 complications or 2.6 complications per patient (com p/pt). Mortality from operative blunt trauma was associated with admis sion blood pressure less than or equal to 90 mm Hg (57 vs 13%; P < 0.0 5), age greater than or equal to 24 years (26 vs 0%; P < 0.05), and In jury Severity Score greater than or equal to 35 (70 vs 8%; P < 0.05). Morbidity was associated with age greater than or equal to 24 years (1 .5 vs 0.7 comp/pt; P < 0.05) and delay in operative therapy greater th an or equal to 24 hours (3.3 vs 1.1 comp/pt; P < 0.05). Overall mortal ity was 18 per cent.