Transport management of patients with blunt abdominal trauma. Case report of a patient with secondary diagnosis of spleen rupture

Missed abdominal injuries after blunt abdominal trauma belong to the most f requent causes of death, especially in polytraumatized patients. Primary mi ssing these injuries often is a tragedy due to a mortality-rate up to 50 % after delayed treatment compared with a low complication- and mortality-rat e after diagnosis in time. We report the case of a patient with a missed sp leen lesion to discuss the special problems of the transport stages. Transp ort and diagnostic procedures are critical stages because of limited diagno stical and therapeutical possibilities. There is a risk of inadequate thera py in ease, of a sudden debasement of the patient's condition. Therefore su fficient monitoring and the availability of emergency medicals and tools ar e essential to secure an adequate treatment of secondary decompensation. Th ese conditions are indispensable for the primary transport, innerhospital t ransfers and also for secondary interhospital transfers. Supervision during the transport stages by a doctor who is able to carry out life-saving emer gency treatments is essential. Sudden debasement of the patient's condition often requires short-dated decision making concerning the following diagno stical and therapeutical strategy.