Surgical and radiologic anatomy : SRA
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In emergency departments, focused assessment for sonographic examination of trauma patients (FAST) accurately detects hemoperitoneum in unstable patients. Currently, only an approximation of the volume of free intraperitoneal fluid (FIPF) can be done using ultrasound (US) and CT scans. We previously reported a new method developed on an experimental cadaveric model using US examination of the abdomen and applying a mathematic formula to effusion measurements to evaluate the exact volume of FIPF. The aim of this prospective study is to extrapolate this method in a clinical practice and apply it to CT measurements of the same area. ⋯ This new linear function can be used to measure the exact volume of FIPF. This evaluation can help surgical decisions, especially when abdominal trauma is associated with other haemorrhagic lesions.