CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT OF ABDOMINAL INJURIES - AUDIT OF CRITERIA FORDISCHARGE

This prospective study was conducted to audit the discharge criteria o f patients admitted for the conservative management of abdominal traum a. A total of 184 patients who were admitted to Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH) with penetrating or blunt abdominal injuries and who were conse rvatively managed according to the GSH protocol were assessed. The stu dy concluded that patients with abdominal trauma who do not require em ergency laparotomy can be safely discharged after a period of conserva tive management provided they are pain-free, hungry and passing flatus .