Acta Chir Belg
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Small bowel perforation is a relative infrequent complication of blunt abdominal trauma. We reviewed the literature regarding this clinical entity and describe our experience in 22 patients. There were 17 male and 5 female patients; mean age was 34 years. ⋯ One patient died because of ARDS and inflammatory syndrome; all the other patients had an uneventful postoperative course. It is concluded that peritoneal lavage remains the most appropriate diagnostic approach. In the absence of peritonitis primary closure can be safely done; otherwise tube drainage or anus praeter construction should be performed.