Hemoperitoneum secondary to mesenteric laceration after abdominal trauma - Case report. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ferreira, Marta M.; Guimarães, Narcisa; Mónica, Inês Bolais; Oliveira, Simone; Pais, Daniela; Andrade, Sara; Fonseca, Alice; Couceiro, Ana; Borges, Isabel; Cecílio, José Valente
• Is Part Of: Trauma case reports. Volume 32(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Mesenteric laceration -- Blunt trauma -- Hemoperitoneum; Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Traumatology -- Periodicals; 617.1005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tcr.2021.100424
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-6440

Abstract

Abstract: Mesenteric laceration is an uncommon cause of hemoperitoneum, with nonspecific signs and symptoms and frequently is camouflaged by the signs of other traumatic lesions. There is a high risk to go unnoticed increasing morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a 43-year-old man, who was involved in a motorcycle accident, with thoraco-abdomino-pelvic trauma, but without evidence of intra-abdominal lesions on exams, with exception of hemoperitoneum. Due to hemodynamic instability, it was performed an exploratory laparotomy. Intraoperative findings were mesenteric lacerations affecting a small bowel segment. This case demonstrates that a high index of suspicion is necessary to diagnose and treat lesions like mesenteric laceration, not visible early on imaging but potentially fatal, with high risk of complications.