Abdominal and thoracic trauma

In the event of a violent impact to the abdomen during a fall, for example on the bicycle handlebars or another object, your child may sustain internal injuries to the abdominal organs. The spleen and liver are particularly at risk. However, the intestines, kidneys or pancreas can also be injured.

Road traffic accidents or falls from a great height can lead to a bruised lung or a pneumothorax, i.e. air escaping from the lungs into the chest. Rib fractures are also possible.

Your child usually complains of increasing abdominal pain, which is often accompanied by vomiting. The abdomen may feel hard and distended. Difficulty breathing is the main symptom of lung injuries.

Your child will be examined by experienced doctors on our emergency ward. If necessary, blood will be taken, urine will be analysed and an ultrasound scan of the abdomen will be performed. If this reveals any abnormalities, a computerised tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be necessary. X-rays of the chest and lungs are also often helpful in confirming the diagnosis.

In most cases, there are mild injuries to the abdominal organs. Your child will then be admitted to our paediatric surgery ward for monitoring and pain management.

If internal organs are severely injured, monitoring in the intensive care unit may be necessary. Conservative therapy with fluid replacement, blood transfusions if necessary and adequate painkillers are the mainstay of treatment. Only very rarely is surgical intervention necessary.

If the lungs are injured, oxygen or respiratory support may be necessary. A pneumothorax is often relieved by drainage.

The length of hospitalisation depends heavily on the severity of the child's injury and must be tailored to the individual case. During the inpatient stay, several blood tests and repeated imaging procedures such as ultrasound, CT or MRI may be necessary. We will inform you in good time about the course of your treatment, any necessary therapies and the planned discharge date. Of course, you can be with your child around the clock.

The prognosis for injuries to internal abdominal organs is generally good. Surgery is rarely necessary, and it is even rarer for an injured organ to be removed. Long-term consequences are very rare. Of course, we will continue to care for your child as an outpatient after discharge in order to recognise and treat any late effects.