Alli Muthiah1, Sridevi Karthikeyan2, Savitha S3, Vishnu Rajendran4
BACKGROUND
Penetrating abdominal injuries forms an important component of surgical emergencies. It remains one of the commonest reasons for preventable deaths in any trauma systems.1 Abdominal injuries may be parietal or visceral or perforating through and through injury. Unnecessary exploration leads to increased morbidity. The goal in managing penetrating abdominal injuries is to identify and treat all the damages caused by the weapon and to reduce negative laparotomy and avoid missed injuries.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A retrospective study that was carried out in 53 patients in Government Kilpauk Medical College and Government Royapettah Hospital from May 2007 to July 2009 on penetrating injuries abdomen.
RESULTS
Among 53 patients, maximum number of cases were in the age group of 30-40 years. Assault injuries account for 87% of cases of penetrating abdominal injuries. Small bowel was the commonly injured organ in this study. Laparotomy was therapeutic in 94% of the cases (64% of the cases underwent laparotomy).
CONCLUSION
Careful and serial clinical examination and appropriate diagnostic investigations leads to successful treatment in these patients. Computed tomography is highly sensitive in predicting both peritoneal penetration and intra-abdominal visceral injuries.
