DELAYED PRESENTATION OF DUODENAL PERFORATION FOLLOWING BLUNT ABDOMINAL TRAUMA

We present a case of a 19-year-old male who sustained multiple injuries following high speed motor vehicle accident. Patient had a delayed presentation of peritonitis at the third day of admission. CT scan was done after the development of peritonitis and showed retroperitoneal free air and injury to the second part of duodenum, that was not found in CT scan done on admission. Patient underwent laparotomy with primary duodenal repair at the third day of presentation. He had uneventful recovery and was discharged 25 days later. Duodenal rupture is a rare but serious complication of blunt abdominal trauma that is commonly missed due to its delayed presentation.