Under Pressure: Pancreatic Laceration in a Young Male Post Blunt Trauma

Abstract

Pancreatic injury following blunt abdominal trauma is an uncommon clinical scenario that often poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Early recognition is critical to avoid serious complications. A 21 year old healthy male presented to the emergency department after sustaining blunt abdominal trauma during an assault. He reported epigastric pain and was initially hemodynamically stable. A contrast enhanced CT scan revealed a pancreatic laceration without immediate signs of ductal disruption. The patient was managed conservatively but subsequently developed peritonitis. Surgical exploration confirmed a Grade III pancreatic injury with ductal involvement, necessitating distal pancreatectomy.