Author/Authors :
Çağlayan, Kasım Bozok Üniversitesi - Tıp Fakültesi - Genel Cerrahi Anabilim Dalı, Turkey , Çelik, Atilla Bağcılar Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi - Genel Cerrahi Kliniği, Turkey , Bal, Ahmet Bozok Üniversitesi - Tıp Fakültesi - Genel Cerrahi Anabilim Dalı, Turkey , Günerhan, Yusuf Kafkas Üniversitesi - Tıp Fakültesi - Genel Cerrahi Anabilim Dalı, Turkey
Abstract :
Epidemiological investigation of penetrating abdominal trauma cases operated at a secondary care setting. Penetrating abdominal trauma cases operated at Kars State Hospital between September 2004 and December 2008 were retrospectively investigated. Patients were reviewed with regard to age, gender, cause of injury (gunshot or stabbing), intraoperative findings, and complications. The mean age of 80 patients operated for penetrating trauma was 30.81±2 y (range: 8-83 y), with a female to male ratio of 12/68 (15% females, 85% males). Age distribution of the cases was as follows: ≤15y, 6 cases (7.3%); 16-64 y, 71 cases (86.6%); ≥65y, 3 cases (3.1%). Fifty-six cases (70%) had stabbing injury and 24 (70%) had gunshot injury. Sixteen of all laparotomies (20%) did not reveal any internal organ lesion.Of these 16 laparotomies with negative findings, 13 (23.5%)had been operated for stabbing injury and 3 (12.5%) had been operated for gunshot injury. Twenty-one cases (32.8%) had single organ injury; whereas, multiple organs were affected in 43 cases (67.2%). Frequencies of organ injuries were as follows: small intestine, 18 cases (28.1%); colon, 12 cases (18.8%); stomach, 12 cases, (18.8%); liver, 8 cases (18.8%); diaphragm, 8 cases (12.5%); spleen, 6 cases (9.4%); kidney, 3 cases (4.7%); and pancreas, 2 cases (3.1%). The mean duration of hospitalization was 5.9±2 days (range: 4-11 days). After surgery, four cases (5%) needed intensive care unit; therefore, they were referred to a higher-level healthcare center. Among cases whom the treatment was completed in our institution, 8 (10.5%) had complication. In our secondary care center, penetrating abdominal injuries mostly occurred in young males and stabbing injuries were more common. Most injuries involved multiple organs, with small intestine being the most frequently affected organ. Most penetrating injuries can be treated at secondary care centers. However, they should be referred to a higher-level institution after the initial intervention, when necessary.
