INTESTINAL FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY AND LATE COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING EXPERIMENTAL BLUNT ABDOMINAL TRAUMA: THE ROLE OF INJURY SEVERITY AND TREATMENT STRATEGY

Objective. To investigate intestinal functional recovery and late complications following experimental blunt abdominal trauma of varying severity in relation to the treatment strategy used.

Materials and Methods. Two models of blunt abdominal trauma were established in laboratory rats. Moderate injuries were managed with observation and analgesia, with additional laser therapy in the experimental group. Severe injuries involving mesenteric vessels were treated by early laparotomy and surgical hemostasis. The experimental severe-trauma group additionally received platelet-rich plasma, laser treatment, and a topical hemostatic agent. Intestinal transit, body weight, and macroscopic changes in the abdominal organs were assessed.

Results. Following moderate trauma, intestinal transit on day 14 reached 79.8 ± 2.35% in the laser-treated group versus 72.3 ± 3.41% in controls. Following severe trauma, the corresponding values were 76.8 ± 3.14% and 65.2 ± 1.96%. The experimental groups exhibited less pronounced adhesions and intestinal deformation. Severe trauma remained associated with delayed intestinal wall necrosis and perforation.

Conclusion. The severity of mesenteric injury determined the need for surgical intervention, while different treatment approaches were associated with differences in subsequent functional recovery. Treatment outcomes should be assessed using intestinal transit and late anatomical changes in addition to the animals’ general condition.