Incidence and characteristics of pancreatic injuries among trauma patients admitted to a Norwegian trauma centre: a population-based cohort study.

Background: Pancreatic injuries are rare. Reports are lacking from defined European populations covering all ages and genders and in areas with a low prevalence of penetrating trauma. We aimed to review pancreatic injuries identified within a defined population.

Methods: Observational cohort study from a prospectively maintained trauma registry and all patients coded for a pancreatic injury between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2018.

Results: A total of 14 patients with pancreatic injury were identified over a 15-year time period. Pancreatic injuries represented 0,19% (14/7207) of all trauma patients and 3,1% (14/454) of patients with documented abdominal injuries. Nine patients 64% (9/14) were children, representing 1% (9/869) of all injured children in the registry and 11,4% (9/79) of children with documented abdominal injuries. Median age was 10,5 years (range 3-58). Ten were male (71%) and 86% (12/14) suffered blunt trauma. Median AAST-OIS was 2 (1-4). Single organ injury occurred in 43% (6/14). Concomitant liver injury was the most frequent associated intra-abdominal injury found in 29% (4/14). Four patients (29%) had associated injuries in other body regions, all thoracic injuries. Median ISS was 9,5 (4-41).Operative management was needed for four of the pancreatic injuries, one spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy, one spleen-sacrificing distal pancreatectomy and two peripancreatic drainages. One patient died within 30-days, but the death was unrelated to the pancreatic injury.

Conclusions: Incidence of pancreatic injuries is low, even among trauma patients with documented abdominal injuries. Most pancreatic injuries occurred in children. Injuries requiring surgery was rare.