Potential Blunt Abdominal Trauma

1
Potential Blunt Abdominal Trauma
Peritonitis?
Yes
Laparotomy
No
Hemodynamically Stable?
Yes
No
Distending Abdomen?
Abdominal CT Scan Or Clinical Observation
No
Abdominal Sonography
Negative
Yes
Abdominal Sonography Or Diagnostic Peritoneal
Lavage
Positive
Negative
Laparotomy or Diagnostic Peritoneal Aspirate
Positive Or Equivocal
Consider other studies Chest x-ray, angiography,
etc.
Abdominal CT Scan
Observation or laparotomy, Depending on nature of
abdominal CT Scan findings and stability of
patient
Consider DPL only if abdominal sonography
equivocal or inadequate and patient not stable
for CT scan