Duodenal trauma.

Fifteen cases of duodenal trauma that presented to Westmead Hospital between 1979 and July 1986 are reviewed. There were 12 blunt injuries, nine caused by motor vehicle accidents. Three patients sustained penetrating injuries, two due to stab wounds. Repair for blunt laceration or incised wound was by primary closure or serosal patch repair, most often with decompressive t-tube duodenostomy. No leak from the duodenal repair occurred in any patient. Two patients died. This was not due to complications of the duodenal injury. Pyloric exclusion, duodenal diverticulization or pancreaticoduodenectomy was not considered necessary in any patient. Morbidity of duodenal haematoma in the form of continuing abdominal pain may be avoided by intra-operative drainage.