Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
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A prospective study of 100 trauma patients admitted to the resuscitation room was performed. Acute gastric dilatation was confirmed radiologically in 17 patients. The mechanism of injury was blunt trauma in 91 patients and penetrating in nine. ⋯ Of 28 patients secondarily transferred from another hospital, three (11%) had undergone nasogastric intubation before transfer, five (18%) had acute gastric dilatation on admission and four (14%) had radiological evidence of pulmonary aspiration. Complications associated with acute gastric dilatation included gastric haemorrhage in six patients (35%), pulmonary aspiration in two (12%) and prolonged ileus in one (6%). Placement of a nasogastric tube in the absence of a clear contraindication, either before inter-hospital transfer or soon after admission to the resuscitation room is strongly recommended in the management of the multiply injured patient.