Blunt small bowel injuries - A challenging diagnosis

Blunt abdominal trauma is a common cause for admission of casualties to emergency departments and trauma units. The most commonly involved organs during blunt abdominal trauma are solid organs such as the spleen and the liver. Small bowel injuries caused by blunt abdominal trauma are relatively rare. The diagnosis of small bowel injuries is frequently delayed. The delay in diagnosis may contribute to relatively high rates of morbidity and even mortality. Physical examination of the patient is suggestive for injury in only half of the patients and further diagnostic modalities are usually needed. In this article we present two patients who were involved in motor vehicle accidents and underwent operations in our medical center because of small bowel injuries. We also present the current medical literature regarding this pathology.