Published online May 16, 2022. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i14.4535
Peer-review started: August 22, 2021
First decision: October 22, 2021
Revised: November 3, 2021
Accepted: March 25, 2022
Article in press: March 25, 2022
Published online: May 16, 2022
Regular abdominal massage can be used to treat digestive symptoms such as bloating and constipation and is reported to reduce abdominal discomfort, improve digestive function, and increase the quality of life, without serious adverse effects. Isolated pancreatic injury is rare, and most often occurs during severe trauma such as steering wheel impact injury. To our knowledge, pancreatic injury caused by massage has not yet been reported in the literature.
A 57-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for acute abdominal pain and transient syncope. On examination, she had low hemoglobin concentration and a high white blood cell count and neutrophil percentage. Plain computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a substantial hemorrhage in the abdominal cavity. A large amount of exudate in the pancreatic area was considered a hematoma. Preoperative diagnosis was difficult. Her hemoglobin and blood pressure did not rise even after blood. We suspected progressive bleeding in the abdominal cavity and urgently performed exploratory laparotomy. During the operation, the pancreas was confirmed to be ruptured; hence, spleen-preserving pancreatic body and tail resection were performed. A pancreatic fistula was found on the 15th d after the operation, and the patient was discharged with a drainage tube on the 24th d after active treatment. Subsequently, it was discovered that the patient had undergone a vigorous abdominal massage the day before the abdominal pain began. To our knowledge, this is the first report of isolated pancreatic injury and massive abdominal hemorrhage caused by abdominal massage.
Our findings indicate that any action that increases intra-abdominal pressure may cause internal organ damage. We also review similar cases reported in the literature.
Core Tip: Abdominal massage is considered a reliable treatment method to relieve abdominal distension and constipation, but when asked by doctors about trauma history, it is sometimes ignored. Pancreas rupture is more common in severe steering wheel impact injuries, but it is rarely associated with abdominal massage. Therefore, we must be alert to the increase in intra-abdominal pressure caused by massage, which may further damage the pancreas or other abdominal organs.