Abstract

This prospective study comprises of 96 patients with penetrating stab wounds to the anterior abdomen. These cases were collected over a peroid of 2 years and 3 months at Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital. All cases were managed by selective conservative management policy depending exclusively on clinical citerion. versus to the mandatory laparotomy for all penetrating stab wounds to the abdomen. Peritoneal penetration was proved by digital exploration of the stab wound under local anesthesia, intra-abdominal structures evisceration (omentum, bowel), air under the diaphragm, or positive abdominal paracentesis. Fifty-two patients (54.16%) were operated upon immediately. The indications for operations were, acute abdomen, shock (vasomotor instability), omental or bowel evisceration, air under the diaphragm, uncontrolled bleeding from the stab wound and frank haematuria. No mortality was recorded. Morbidity was recorded in 8 patients (8.3%). The mean hospital stay was 7.7 days. The negative laparotomies were 8.3%. Forty-four cases (45.84%) were managed conservatively, only 4 patients (4.16%) were needed delayed laparotomy and the indication for operation was peritonitis during period of observation. The remaining 40 patients were managed conservatively without mortality and little morbidity only 2 patients 2.08% were developed stab wounds infection. The mean hospital stay was 3.5 days. If we depend on the mandatory exploration policy for all cases of penetrating stab wounds of the abdomen, the percentage of negative laparotomies will reach 50%.

Recommended Citation

Faris D. Alaswad Dr. (2008) "Penetrating Stab Wounds," World Journal of Colorectal Surgery: Vol. 1 : Iss. 1, Article 18.
Available at: http://services.bepress.com/wjcs/vol1/iss1/art18