Blunt abdominal injuries

The management of blunt abdominal injury (BAI) has undergone quite significant changes over recent years. The emphasis is now on the recognition and limitation of the underlying metabolic insult associated with severe abdominal injury. The concepts of damage control and non-operative management while seeming diametrically opposed have both found favour in selected patient groups. The interventional radiologist has opened a new dimension in the control of inaccessible bleeding and is able to contribute to non-operative approaches. The complimentary use of the methods of investigation available for BAI will also improve the accuracy and specificity of diagnosis allowing more appropriate management. Embracing these new concepts of management by all institutions dealing with trauma victims will hopefully reduce the morbidity and mortality of BAI.