Jejuno-Ileal Ruptures after Blunt Abdominal Trauma at the Teaching Hospital of Bouake

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the causes, pattern, man agement, and outcome of jejunal-ileal rupture following blunt abdominal trauma at the teaching Hospital of Bouake. Methods: The study included 27 patients who underwent laparotomy for jejunoileal injuries from blunt abdominal trauma at the Teaching Hospital of Bouake over a period of 14 years from January 2007 to December 2020. A retrospective study was conducted and the patients were analyzed with respect to patient demographics data, cause, injury mechanisms, presentation, anatomical distribution, diagnostic methods, associated injuries, treatment and outcomes. Results: During the 14 year period from 2007 to 2020, 27 patients with blunt small bowel injuries were treated at our Teaching Hospital. That is 2.9% of all blunt abdominal trauma. Male to female ratio was 4.4:1 and the average age was 26.3 years (range: 15 and 50 years). The majority (66.7% 18 cases) were Victims of road traffic accident. Median delay between injury and arrival at hospital for these patients was 10.1 hours (range: 1 - 72 h). A single intestinal injury was present in 22 patients, while 5 patients suffered from 2 injuries. There were 32 perforations of the small intestine in 27 patients with two perforations being transection. All perforations were located on the antimesenteric border of the intestine. Out of the 32 jejuno-ileal ruptures 18 were located on the jejunum while 14 were located on the ileum. Associated intra-abdominal injuries were present in 6 patients and nineteen associated extra-abdominal injuries were present in 10 (70.4%) patients. A one-stage therapeutic strategy was per formed in 20 cases (74.1%) and a two-stage strategy was performed in seven cases (25.9%). Intestinal continuity was restored 93.8 days later (range 60 and 140 days). The average length of hospital stay of the operated patients was 11.4 days. The operative morbidity was 25.9%. Conclusion: Jejuno-ileal ruptures are rare and characterized by a delay in management. An early diagnosis could improve the vital prognosis of the patients.