Year Book: Mortality in Retroperitoneal Hematoma

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Selivanov-Val. Chi-Hoon-Sang. Alverdy-John-C. Morris-John-A. Sheldon-George-F. Original Article: J. Trauma. 1984 Dec. 24. pp 1022-1027. This study highlights the seriousness of retroperitoneal hematoma and their potential for morbidity and mortality. This is a useful article since many people still do not explore retroperitoneal hematoma. Some definition of exploration was attempted by these authors in that the experience of most has been that if the retroperitoneal hematoma is in the area of and associated with a pelvic fracture, that these hematomas are better confined by leaving the peritoneum intact. Otherwise, retroperitoneal hematomas deserve exploring because this is an extremely dangerous injury in terms of lethal potential.--G. Tom Shires, M.D.