LAUSR

Pancreatic injury, a rare consequence of blunt abdominal trauma, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality when the appropriate management is delayed. Due to the rarity of the injury, there is currently a lack of evidence to establish a treatment pathway for adults. The aim of this review was to compare outcomes following non-operative and operative management of adults who suffered blunt pancreatic trauma injuries. An electronic literature search was performed from 2008 to 2020. Studies pertaining to adults sustaining blunt pancreatic injuries, of all grades (I-V) of severity, according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, were included. The primary outcome was mortality, whilst secondary outcomes were components of pancreas specific morbidity. 1501 studies were initially identified and screened, and 11 studies were included in the review. Qualitative analysis showed an increase risk of mortality with increased severity of injury, and in the operative group compared to non-operative group. All patients who were haemodynamically unstable underwent immediate operative management, whereas the management strategy for patients with haemodynamic stability differed between the studies and depended on either the grade of injury, presence of other organ injury, or failure of initial management strategy. This systematic review largely reaffirmed accepted practice in determining operative versus non-operative treatment for blunt pancreatic injury. Larger institutional analyses are required to add strength to the evidence supporting non-operative management for grade III or IV injuries with appropriate monitoring and subsequent intervention if required.