J Korean Surg Soc.
1999 Dec;57(Suppl):959-966.
A Clinical Study of Abdominal Stab Wounds
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea, Holy Family Hospital.
Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Nowdays, modernization and industrialization cause many social problems and the abdominal stab wound is one of them. Recently, the number of accidents has increased along with the population of Puchen city where Holy Family Hospital is located. For the treatment of abdominal stab wounds, it is important to make a proper diagnosis.
METHODS
We perform a retrospective clinical study of 52 patients who were operated on for abdominal stab wounds at Holy Family Hospital during the 10 years from January 1989 to December 1998.
RESULTS
The age distribution revealed a high incidence in the twenties (44%), and the sex distribution, with a male-to-female ratio of 3:1, showed a male predominance. The seasonal distribution showed the highest incidence in the summer (35%) but there was no prominent difference in the seasonal incidence. It was made by others (44%), self (31%) and accident (25%) but 5 cases (10%) were made by the family circle. The most common clinical manifestations and the most commonly used instrument were abdominal pain (69%) and a knife (69%). In the most anemic patients, major vessel injury and thoracic injuries were combined. Among the 29 gastrointestinal injuries, 6 cases (21%) showed free air on radiologic study, and in the 13 cases with abdominal paracentesis, the sensitivity was 83% and the predictability was 91%. Among the abdominal injuries, except those to the omentum, the most commonly injured organ and combined organ were the small bowel (48%) and the thorax (55%). The average time interval from emergency-room treatment to surgery was 60 minutes. In 23 cases (45%), there was no blood transfusion during treatment. Blood transfusions above 11 units were required in 4 cases (2%). The complication rate was 15% and, no injured organs were overlocked.
CONCLUSIONS
This review revealed that abdominal stab wounds were mainly caused by unknown male in their twenties, in the summer, and with a knife, but 10% were caused by number of the family circle. The diagnosis to operate was made with various methods, but we recommend a diagnostic laparoscopy with paracentesis in order to decrease negative laparotomies.
