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Abstract

Background: Blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries. Accurate diagnostic tools are essential for effective triage and management. The Blunt Abdominal Trauma Scoring System (BATSS) integrates clinical and ultrasonographic findings, while Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) is widely used for detecting intra-abdominal free fluid.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of BATSS compared to FAST in assessing BAT at a tertiary care centre in India.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 62 patients with BAT admitted to Father Muller Medical College Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022. Patients aged ≥18 years were included, excluding those with penetrating trauma or iatrogenic injuries. BATSS scores were calculated based on clinical parameters and FAST findings, and results were compared with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) abdomen as the gold standard. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were analyzed using SPSS 18.
Results: Of 62 patients, 82% were male, with 58% aged <40 years. Road traffic accidents accounted for 85% of cases. FAST showed a sensitivity of 67.39% and specificity of 100%, while BATSS demonstrated a sensitivity of 71.73% and specificity of 100%. BATSS scores ≥8 were strongly associated with intra-abdominal injury.
Conclusion: BATSS outperforms FAST in predicting intra-abdominal injury, aiding triage and reducing unnecessary imaging.