Role of Fast in Patient with Blunt Abdominal Trauma

Abstract

Background

      Blunt abdominal trauma is a common cause of presentation to surgical emergency department. The Focused Assessment Sonographic examination in Trauma patient (FAST) is a rapid bedside sonographic test that sequentially surveys for hemopericardium and then the right upper quadrant (RUQ), left upper quadrant (LUQ), and pelvis for hemoperitoneum in patients with potential truncal injuries.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of FAST in managing patients with blunt abdominal trauma regarding specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values.

Patients and Method: This is a prospective observational study performed in Baghdad teaching hospital during thirteen months’ period involving 103 patients with blunt abdominal trauma presenting to the emergency department of Baghdad teaching hospital aged 15 years and above.

Results: 103 cases of Blunt abdominal trauma were received through this period.From these cases were 74.7% (n=77) males and 25.3% (n=26) were females. In these 103 cases, 88.35% (n=91) of them showed negative FAST result and 11.65% (n=12) of them showed positive FAST results, 0.97% (n=1) patient had false positive and 1.95% (n=2) patients had false negative results. Sensitivity was calculated to be (84.6%), specificity (98.8%), with the accuracy of (97%), the negative predictive value was (95.6%) and the positive predictive value was (91.6 %).

Conclusion:  FAST scan is a useful diagnostic tool in the initial assessment of blunt abdominal trauma patients. It is easy to perform, readily available; no risk of radiation, reproducible, and noninvasive. It guides the surgeons for further management of patients with blunt abdominal trauma.