ABDOMINAL INJURIES: AN EXPERIENCE OF 87 CASES

BACKGROUND: About one third of trauma patients have abdominal injuries and it accounts for a large fraction of tragic loss of life. The purpose of this study is to establish the pattern and outcome of abdominal injuries requiring admission to provide rationale for a current management plan and anticipate evolving policy changes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It is retrospective, observational, hospital-based study of patients having predominantly abdominal injury requiring admission in the department of General Surgery during February 2010 to august 2012. A performa designated for this study was prepared; inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined. Collected data were analyzed. RESULTS: Total 87 patients were enrolled with male to female ratio of 5.2:1; the majority was in the third decade of life with a range 15-65 years. Blunt to penetrating abdominal injuries had approximately 2:1 ratio. Patients with abnormal vital signs at admission had 50% chance of dying. Operative to non-operative management ratio was 1:1.4 which is higher in blunt than penetrating injuries. The overall rate of operation was approximately 59% and a 17.64% rate of negative laparotomy. Overall, the complication rate was 12.64% and mortality rate was 15%. CONCLUSION: Abdominal injuries are a predominantly male disease with the majority in the third decade of life. Penetrating injuries have better outcome than blunt injuries. Although outcome of management depends on the severity and type of injury sustained, many patients can be managed conservatively which may require some sophisticated investigations.