[Blunt abdominal trauma: practical diagnostic strategy].

The principal aim of a practical diagnostic strategy is rapidly identify the organ injury following blunt abdominal trauma. A general diagnostic strategy and special technical investigations are described and their relative values discussed. From 1 January 1986 to 31 December 1989, 440 patients were treated for blunt abdominal trauma which had resulted in 166 organ injuries. Ultrasound was used in the initial investigation. Its sensitivity was 96% and specificity 98%. Following examination by ultrasound the rate of negative laparotomies was 1.3%.