Abdominal wall injuries occurring after blunt trauma: incidence and grading system.

Background: Traumatic abdominal wall injuries (AWIs) are being increasingly recognized after blunt force injury.

Methods: All available abdominal/pelvic computed axial tomography (CAT) scans of blunt trauma patients evaluated at our level I trauma center from January 2005 to August 2006 were reviewed for the presence of AWI. AWI was graded using a severity-based numeric system.

Traumatic flank hernias: acute and chronic management.

Background: Traumatic flank hernias are increasingly recognized as occurring after severe blunt injury. To clarify the role and timing of operative therapy, we review here our recent experience.

Methods: A prospectively maintained database at Oklahoma's only level I trauma center was reviewed to identify all patients presenting with traumatic flank hernias.