RETROPERITONEAL HEMORRHAGE SECONDARY TO BLUNT TRAUMA

Retroperitoneal hematoma secondary to blunt trauma is a challenging problem. The incidence of this entity is expected to increase as high speed vehicular accidents increase. Analysis of seventy-five cases of retroperitoneal hematoma is presented. The over-all mortality was 24 per cent. Fifty-seven per cent of the patients had exploration of the retroperitoneal hematoma. The mortality in this group was 30 per cent. Forty-three per cent of the patients had exploratory laparotomy but did not have exploration of the retroperitoneum; 10 per cent of these patients died. Noncomplicated retroperitoneal hematomas secondary to blunt trauma should be treated conservatively. © 1969.