Duodenal trauma in the rural setting.

: During the past 15 years, 21 patients with duodenal injuries were treated at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The major cause of injury (66.6%) was blunt abdominal trauma. Eighteen patients (85.7%) underwent celiotomy. Only one patient (4.7%) had an isolated duodenal injury. In most cases, a careful exploration of the periduodenal area and lesser sac was necessary to diagnose and treat the injury. No one specific procedure was used in these patients. The use of Penrose drains did not prevent abscess formation in three of nine patients. Overall mortality was 23.8 per cent, but most deaths were related to other serious injuries. Only one death (4.7%) was directly related to the duodenal injury. In the rural setting, duodenal injuries are rare, but when they occur they are frequently the result of blunt trauma. These injuries are commonly associated with other obvious problems and may be easily overlooked. Because the preoperative diagnosis is difficult, careful intraoperative examination of the entire duodenum is mandatory.