Pancreatic and Duodenal Injuries Flashcards
What blunt trauma mechanisms are commonly associated with duodenal injury?
Significant direct force to the epigastrium, such as from bicycle handlebars in children, steering wheel impacts, and seatbelt injuries
What are the indications for surgery in a patient with a suspected duodenal injury?
Surgery is indicated if the patient has evidence of peritonitis, hemodynamic compromise with concern for hemorrhage, or CT evidence of free air
What is the management approach for a stable patient with periduodenal air and inflammatory changes?
Surgical exploration is recommended, either with laparoscopy or laparotomy
What characterizes a grade I duodenal injury?
A hematoma involving one portion of the duodenum or a partial-thickness laceration without transmural perforation.
What is the recommended nonoperative management for a grade I duodenal injury identified on CT without indications for surgery?
Nasogastric decompression for up to 2 weeks
When should operative intervention be considered in a grade I duodenal injury?
If there is progressive obstruction or if the injury fails to resolve after nonoperative management
What management is recommended for duodenal hematomas < 50% circumferential involvement?
No further intervention, but consider nasogastric decompression and distal feeding tube placement
How should a duodenal hematoma > 50% circumferential involvement be managed?
Hematoma evacuation with care to avoid mucosal disruption and simple closure. For larger injuries (e.g., 75%), consider reconstruction with gastrojejunostomy
What characterizes a grade II duodenal injury?
A hematoma involving more than one portion of the duodenum or a full-thickness laceration involving < 50% of the circumference, without duct disruption or ampulla involvement.
How are grade II duodenal injuries managed if identified early?
Most can be managed with simple, tension-free repair.
What are the surgical options for mobilization or narrowing issues in grade II duodenal injuries?
Debridement with duodenoduodenostomy or laceration repair with gastrojejunostomy are viable options.
What is the recommended management for delayed repair or significant contamination in grade II duodenal injuries?
The safest option is often debridement to healthy edges followed by a Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy.
What characterizes a grade III duodenal injury?
A laceration involving 50% to 75% of the circumference of D2 (without duct or ampulla involvement) or 50% to 100% of D1, D3, or D4
What is a potential treatment for grade III duodenal injuries?
Simple closure can be attempted if possible.
What are alternative options for managing grade III duodenal injuries?
Duodenoduodenostomy or Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy after debridement to healthy tissue.
What surgical option may be considered for a D1 injury proximal to the ampulla?
An antrectomy with gastrojejunostomy (Billroth II) may be viable
What characterizes a grade IV duodenal injury?
A laceration involving 75% to 100% of D2 with an intact ampulla/bile duct, or laceration involving ampulla/distal cbd
How are most grade IV and grade V duodenal injuries managed?
They are typically managed similarly, often requiring more complex interventions
What characterizes a grade V duodenal injury?
Complete destruction of the duodenum and pancreatic head complex
What complex reconstructions are typically required for grade IV and grade V duodenal injuries?
Either a Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy or a pancreatoduodectomy (Whipple procedure).
What is the management focus for clinically unstable patients with grade IV or V duodenal injuries?
Focus on hemorrhage control followed by contamination control.
Why is vascular control critical in the management of grade IV and V injuries?
Due to the proximity to major abdominal vessels such as the portal vein, IVC, SMA, and SMV
What is the typical damage control strategy for grade IV and V injuries?
Temporary control of holes in the gastrointestinal tract, wide drainage, temporary abdominal closure, and resuscitation in the ICU.
How can the common bile duct (CBD) be managed in a grade IV injury when duodenal reconstruction is possible?
The CBD can be reimplanted into the duodenum or reconstructed with a Roux-en-Y loop.
When might a Whipple procedure be necessary in grade IV or V injuries?
If the injury is irreparable or involves the pancreatic head
What temporary measures can be taken for the CBD and pancreatic duct in unstable patients?
Cannulation and externalization to assist with reconstruction at the follow-up operation after resuscitation.
What vascular structures are contained in the deep layer during trauma surgery?
The inferior vena cava (IVC) and right renal pedicle
How do deep layer injuries typically present?
As contained retroperitoneal hematomas, sometimes with active bleeding from the renal hilum
What is the initial management for deep layer injuries?
Direct compression with packing until other areas of concern are addressed
What vascular structures are contained in the middle layer?
The superior mesenteric artery (SMA), superior mesenteric vein (SMV), and portal vein
How is exposure of the middle layer achieved in trauma surgery?
Using the Kocher maneuver, which involves dissecting the lateral peritoneal attachments and rotating the duodenal C-loop and pancreatic head from right to left
What are the steps for hemorrhage control in trauma surgery?
Manual compression is followed by proximal and distal vascular control, and then ligation, repair, or more complex vascular reconstruction
What is the superficial layer of vascular structures in trauma surgery, and how is bleeding managed?
The superficial layer includes the pancreaticoduodenal vessels, managed initially with Kocherization and manual compression.
What should raise concern for duodenal injury during exploratory laparotomy?
The presence of retroperitoneal bile staining, hematoma, or bubbles.
What is the purpose of the Kocher maneuver in trauma surgery?
To expose the retroperitoneum by identifying the C-loop of the duodenum, dissecting the lateral attachments, and retracting the duodenum and head of the pancreas superomedially
What are the dissection margins for the Kocher maneuver?
The common bile duct (CBD) cranially and the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) caudally
Why is the Kocher maneuver often performed in conjunction with mobilization of the right colon?
To expose the lower part of the duodenum, which is covered by the hepatic flexure of the colon
What is the Cattell-Braasch maneuver, and what does it achieve?
It is the final extension of the right medial visceral rotation, allowing complete mobilization of the small bowel and exposure of the third and fourth portions of the duodenum, underside of the pancreas, infrarenal IVC, aorta, and bilateral iliac and renal vessels.
How is the Cattell-Braasch maneuver performed?
After the white line of Toldt is incised and the right colon is reflected medially, the cecum is elevated and the small bowel is retracted to the patient’s left and cranially.
What should be exposed during the Cattell-Braasch maneuver?
The small bowel mesentery attachment to the posterior abdomen, which is incised from the cecum to the ligament of Treitz.
What risk is associated with improper retraction during the Cattell-Braasch maneuver?
Avulsion of the right colic vein of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) due to the right colon being affixed by its mesentery alone.
What is the goal of primary repair in duodenal injuries?
To create a tension-free and widely patent closure or anastomosis, best accomplished by transverse closure