Context

The assessment of abdominal trauma is notoriously difficult. 

Serious intra-abdominal injuries may initially appear to be innocuous and localisation of symptoms is variable. A high index of suspicion is constantly required to recognise occult injury. The presence of associated injuries, such as head injury with altered conscious level, spinal injury with neurological sequelae or adjacent chest or pelvic injuries, further complicates clinical evaluation.

To aid initial diagnosis, investigation and management, abdominal trauma can be broadly grouped into penetrating or blunt, depending on the mechanism of injury. 

Learning bite

Unrecognised abdominal injury remains a significant cause of death. Death may be prevented if intervention occurs early.

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mechanism of injury is important

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