Traumatic rupture of the pancreas and duodenum in a patient with preexisting penetrating ulcer of the duodenum

Pancreatic injuries are rare complications after blunt abdominal trauma and usually the result of a direct force separating the pancreatic body in fro nt of the vertebral column. This case report describes the uncommon event o f a severe pancreatic and duodenal injury (stage IV b of Lukas) in which th e combination of a direct force and the setting of a preexisting penetratin g ulcer of the duodenum caused the extent of the pancreatic and duodenal in jury [9]. Because of the preexisting lesion a Whipple procedure had to be p erformed. This case report demonstrates the influence of chronic abdominal diseases o n the outcome of blunt abdominal trauma.