Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Focused Abdominal Sonography for Trauma (FAST) is widely applied in the initial management of trauma patients, Being non invasive, repeatable and without risk of irradiation, make it attractive tool in evaluation of trauma patients.
OBJECTIVE:
Evaluation FAST sensitivity and specificity in detection of hemoperitoneum in abdominal trauma victims .
METHODS:
Prospective study conducted in the emergency department of Baghdad teaching hospital for one year period .The FAST done by a general surgeon or emergency physician during the secondary survey of blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma victims with equivocal clinical findings.
RESULTS:
Ninety three (93) patients included in the study, with over all sensitivity of FAST was 80.9 % and specificity 95.8 %. In blunt abdominal trauma the sensitivity was 92.3 % and specificity was 96 % while in penetrating abdominal trauma the sensitivity was only 62.5 % and specificity 95.2 %.
CONCLUSION:
FAST is highly sensitive and specific in detection of hemoperitoneum after blunt abdominal trauma ,but its lower sensitivity in penetrating abdominal injury require modification in the protocols like repetition of the scan or application of extra views. Its high specificity make it suitable as "rule in" test in both blunt and penetrating abdominal injury.