Description

The Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) examination may miss cases of hemoperitoneum associated with pelvic fractures secondary to blunt trauma. Friese et al combined FAST with diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) to improve diagnostic accuracy. The authors are from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.


 

Patient selection: blunt trauma patient with pelvic fracture

 

Parameters:

(1) FAST exam

(2) hemodynamic status

(3) DPL

 

FAST exam

hemodynamic status

DPL

Recommendation

positive

normal

NA

abdominal CT scan

positive

abnormal

NA

celiotomy

negative

normal

NA

abdominal CT scan

negative

abnormal

grossly positive

celiotomy

negative

abnormal

grossly negative

urgent pelvic angiography

 


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