Resumen de Medicolegal aspects of post-traumatic gastroduodenal ulcers: A Retrospective Study
Slobodan Savic, Radmila Stevanovic, Djordje M. Alempijevic, Stojan Petkovic, Ivanka Baralic
Retrospective examination of 5-year autopsy material showed the presence of posttraumatic gastroduodenal ulcers (PGDU) in17.7% of decedents deemed to be at risk. They were more common in males (77%) and in patients aged over 50. In the majority of cases (76%) thesurvival period was <12 days; in 16.5% it was < 48 h. PGDU developed most commonly in victims of polytrauma and isolated craniocerebral injury,with ISS values ‡16; patients with spinal cord injuries were at greatest risk. Most frequently affected was the stomach, exhibiting numerous, usuallysuperficial lesions, while solitary acute and exacerbated chronic peptic ulcers were more common in the duodenum. Complications of PGDU devel-oped in 40% of cases, mostly in the form of hemorrhage; in 20% of cases PGDU have contributed to death. Medicolegal aspects of PGDU are, mostfrequently, concerned with the causal relationship between trauma, PGDU, and fatal outcome, as well as the potential for allegations of medicalnegligence
