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Case #3 - A 45 year old with chest pain after an MVA

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
13.) What are the absolute indications for laparotomy after abdominal assessment is completed in blunt injury?

Absolute indications for laparotomy in blunt injury:


  1. Peritoneal signs

  2. Hemodynamic instability with positive FAST or positive DPL


Free fluid in the abdomen on CT scan with no evidence of solid organ injury is a relative indication for laparotomy.
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