Blunt Trauma Pancreas in Children: Is Non-Operative Management Appropriate for All Grades?

PURPOSE: Blunt trauma of pancreas in children is uncommon and its management varies from observational to early operative intervention. We analysed the feasibility and outcome of non-operative management in all grades of paediatric pancreatic injuries.

METHODS: A total of 15 patients of pancreatic trauma seen in a Paediatric Surgery Unit were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS: Age of the patients ranged from 3-11 years (mean, 7.7 years). The mode of injury was local trauma in 9 children. Only 3 patients had associated injuries and all were haemodynamically stable. Serum amylase levels were raised in 12 patients at admission which ranged from 400-1,000 IU. Computed tomography scan made a correct diagnosis in 14 patients. Grades of the injury varied from grade I-V (1, 3, 6, 4, 1 patients respectively). Fourteen patients were managed conservatively. One patient underwent laparotomy for suspected superior mesenteric hematoma. The average duration of enteral feeds was 3.7 days and of hospital stay was 9.4 days. Six patients formed pancreatic pseudocysts; two were managed conservatively while the other four underwent cystogastrostomy. The patients were followed up for a period of 1-12 years. All remained asymptomatic and none had exocrine or endocrine deficiencies.

CONCLUSION: Non-operative treatment for isolated blunt trauma of pancreas in children may be safely followed for all the grades of injury; if associated injuries requiring surgical intervention are ruled out with a good quality imaging and the patients are hemodynamically stable. It did not increase the hospital stay and morbidity and avoided operative intervention on acutely injured pancreas.