Background and purpose: Trauma is the fourth leading cause of death in some developing countries and the second cause of death among young people in Iran. Focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) as part of the preliminary examination is invaluable in emergency care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of FAST in determining free abdominal fluid in traumatic patients admitted in an emergency department.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 150 trauma patients in emergency department (Imam Teaching Hospital, Sari, Iran). FAST reports for presence of free fluid in the abdomen by emergency residents were compared with those of abdominal and pelvic CT scan (oral and intravenous contrast). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were evaluated.

Results: The mean age of patients was 37.02 ± 14.46. There were 26 (84%) males and 24 (16%) females. In FAST and CT scan of the abdomen with oral and IV contrast 13 (8.7%) and 10 patients (6.7%) were reported with free fluid in the abdomen.

Conclusion: Ultrasound is a reliable tool for assessing trauma patients that can be performed with reasonable accuracy. Emergency physicians are constantly available upon admission, therefore, ultrasound plays an important role in decisions made for trauma patients in emergency departments.