RT Book, Section A1 Jones, Landon A. A2 Stone, C. Keith A2 Humphries, Roger L. SR Print(0) ID 1176287940 T1 Abdominal Trauma T2 CURRENT Diagnosis & Treatment: Emergency Medicine, 8e YR 2017 FD 2017 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9780071840613 LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1176287940 RD 2024/11/12 AB Posttraumatic intra-abdominal injuries are common life-threatening injuries. The abdomen encompasses a relatively large area, extending from the apex of the diaphragm to the level of the iliac crests. It contains a number of organs and vascular structures that may be injured secondary to a traumatic injury and is also closely associated with both thoracic and pelvic structures. Any penetrating injury below the level of the nipple line—roughly the level of the apex of the diaphragm—warrants evaluation for intra-abdominal injury. Abdominal trauma is, traditionally, described as either blunt or penetrating trauma and the organs and structures injured may vary depending on both the type and location of the trauma. Most blunt abdominal trauma is secondary to motor vehicle collisions, whereas the majority of penetrating injuries are predominantly secondary to gunshot or stab wounds. Patients with abdominal trauma require rapid assessment, stabilization, and early surgical consultation when indicated to maximize the chances of a successful outcome.