Background: Blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) is a frequent reason for hospital admission and a significant cause of death. Many scoring systems are designed to predict management outcomes. However, it is challenging because many variables affect the prognosis of trauma patients. The study aimed to create a simple score for prediction of morbidity and mortality in BAT which could be applied without the need for complex mathematical equations based upon initial physiological parameters, imaging, and response to initial resuscitation. Patients and Methods: This prospective observational cohort study included patients who presented to Kasr Alainy emergency unit with BAT during the period from December 2020 to April 2021. Data obtained included socio-demographic data, assessment using advanced trauma life support, imaging findings, definitive management, and outcome. Logistic regression was done for selected statistically significant factors forming the BAT score. Results: A total of 193 patients admitted for conservative/operative management following BAT were studied. The incidence of morbidity and mortality was 26.9 and 5.7%, respectively. Significant predictors for morbidity and mortality to BAT (Mnemonic: TRAFIC score) included: (T) trauma associated severe hemorrhage score greater than 10, (R) Response to fluid therapy, (A) positive abdominal examination, (F) positive FAST for moderate or marked amount of intra-abdominal free fluid collection (more than 500cc), (I) ICU admission, (C) positive compute tomography findings, Consciousness (Low glasgow coma score), Circulation (hemodynamic instability). A score of more than 5 is highly suggestive of morbidity, and a score of more than 6 is highly suggestive of mortality. Conclusion: TRAFIC’ is a simple score that can predict the morbidity and mortality in BAT. However, more studies are needed to validate the score.
Maurice, K., Aziz, B., Milad, N., & Shafik, I. (2025). Predictors of morbidity and mortality in blunt abdominal trauma: The TRAFIC score. The Egyptian Journal of Surgery, 44(2), 646-658. doi: 10.21608/ejsur.2024.329302.1244
MLA
Karim K. Maurice; Bishoy A. B. Aziz; Nader M. Milad; Ismail A. Shafik. "Predictors of morbidity and mortality in blunt abdominal trauma: The TRAFIC score", The Egyptian Journal of Surgery, 44, 2, 2025, 646-658. doi: 10.21608/ejsur.2024.329302.1244
HARVARD
Maurice, K., Aziz, B., Milad, N., Shafik, I. (2025). 'Predictors of morbidity and mortality in blunt abdominal trauma: The TRAFIC score', The Egyptian Journal of Surgery, 44(2), pp. 646-658. doi: 10.21608/ejsur.2024.329302.1244
VANCOUVER
Maurice, K., Aziz, B., Milad, N., Shafik, I. Predictors of morbidity and mortality in blunt abdominal trauma: The TRAFIC score. The Egyptian Journal of Surgery, 2025; 44(2): 646-658. doi: 10.21608/ejsur.2024.329302.1244
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