Injuries to the Pancreas

Abstract

Although the incidence of trauma to the pancreas is increasing, few collected series have appeared in recent years. Exceptions are a brief report of 42 cases by Berne and Walters¹and 2 surveys of the experience at Baylor University and its affiliated hospitals.^2,4It is felt timely to report the cases from another institution in view of the difficulties, either initially or as complications, that these injuries present. During the 13-year period ending Dec. 31, 1961, a total of 62 cases of pancreatic trauma were treated surgically at Grady Memorial Hospital (Table 1). Fifty-six injuries were due to penetrating wounds, and an additional 6 were secondary to blunt trauma. Over-all, there was a mortality of 21% and morbidity of 71%. All patients herein reported survived long enough to undergo surgical exploration. <h3>Penetrating Wounds</h3> Shootings and stabbings led to 56 of these injuries (Table 1). Forty-one were gunshot wounds.