CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT OF BLUNT TRAUMA ABDOMEN IN PEDIATRIC POPULATION; KNOW WHEN NOT TO OPERATE

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcome of conservative management of blunttrauma injury in pediatric population presenting to Holy Family Hospital.Materials and Methods: An analytical cross sectional study of all the pediatric patients of Blunt traumaabdomen of both genders above 1 year of age presenting to department of pediatric surgery, Holy FamilyHospital prospectively during the period of Nine months from January 2020 to September 2020Results: During a period of nine months, a total of 33 patients presented to pediatric surgical emergency,Holy family hospital having female predominance. 57.6% had isolated liver injury making it the mostinjured organ of blunt trauma abdomen followed by isolated renal injury which came out to be 18%,while 9.1% of the patients, each, suffered from splenic and pancreatic injury. 90% (30) of the patientswere successfully managed conservatively while 6 %(2) had to undergo exploratory laparotomy afterfailure of conservative management.Conclusion: Non operative conservative management is associated with lower morbidity and lesshospital stay in pediatric patients with abdominal blunt trauma.Keywords: Blunt abdominal trauma, pediatric population, conservative management, liver injury,kidney injury, spleen injury