Traumatic Transection of the Pancreas. A Case of Delayed Presentation

Rebecca A Levine; Matthew A Bank

doi:10.6092/1590-8577/3384

Rebecca A Levine Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma and Surgery Critical Care, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System. Manhasset, New York, USA
Matthew A Bank Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma and Surgery Critical Care, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System. Manhasset, New York, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6092/1590-8577/3384

Keywords: Abscess, Pancreatectomy, Wounds and Injuries

Abstract

Context Isolated traumatic injuries to the pancreas are extremely unusual and diagnosis may be difficult due to delay in presentation and subtlety of symptoms. Case report We describe a patient who presented 24 hours after sustaining blunt abdominal trauma and was found to have a complete pancreatic neck transection on computed tomography with no other injuries. The patient underwent a distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy which was complicated by a postoperative abscess on day 15. This was treated with percutaneous drainage and he has recovered well. Conclusion Pancreatic transection in the absence of associated injuries is rarely seen after blunt trauma but can result in devastating outcomes if left unrecognized. A high index of suspicion and early intervention are critical.

Image: Transection at the junction of the pancreatic neck and body.

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