In a patient who undergoes laparotomy for a penetrating injury to the anterior abdomen, which intraperitoneal structure is injured most frequently overall?
- A Small bowel ✓
- B Liver
- C Spleen
- D Colon
Correct answer: A. Small bowel
Explanation
The small bowel occupies the largest volume of the peritoneal cavity and lies immediately behind the anterior abdominal wall, so it is the organ most often injured in penetrating abdominal trauma, being damaged in roughly a third of cases. The liver is the most frequently injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma, which is the trap here. Colon and spleen injuries are less frequent in penetrating trauma. This distinction between blunt and penetrating patterns is repeatedly examined.
Reference: Schwartz's Principles of Surgery, 11th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.