Pancreas sparing duodenectomy for duodenal trauma

Background

Although blunt abdominal trauma is frequently encountered, isolated duodenal injury is relatively uncommon. The management of such patients is challenging and various surgical procedures are described for their management.

Methods

Two patients presented to our emergency department with isolated duodenal injuries (transection and devascularisation) secondary to blunt abdominal trauma.

Results

Both patients underwent exploratory laparotomy, revealing transection of the duodenum along with proximal devascularization and detachment of mesentery at duodeno-jejunal junction without any other intra-abdominal injury (especially pancreas, colon, vena cava) for which pancreas-sparing duodenectomy (infra-ampullary) was performed.

Conclusion

Pancreas-sparing duodenectomy is a valuable tool in the management of duodenal trauma, allowing the surgeon (and the patient) to avoid the complications of major surgical resections.