ASSESSMENT OF PEACETIME GUNSHOT INJURIES OF ABDOMEN IN REPUBLIC OF YEMEN, IBB DISTRICT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69844/nhge4361Keywords:
Commonly injured organ, Complications and mortality, GSWA (Gunshot Wound Abdomen), Retrospective study, Selective conservative management, Treatment outcomeAbstract
We reviewed the records of 218 patients admitted to Al Nasr Hospital City IBB due to GSWA, during the period from January 2006 to December 2010.This retrospective study on those who sustained abdominal gunshot wounds was performed to evaluate the pattern of injuries, treatment outcome and the role of selective conservative management. 17(7.7%) patients with superficial wounds were managed by local wound care. 15 (6.9%) stable patients with minimal abdominal signs were selected for conservative management. Laparotomy was performed in 186 (85.3%) patients who were presented with an acute abdomen. The commonly injured organs were the small bowel (30.1%), colon (16.7%), liver (14.5%) and stomach (12.4%). Complications related directly to GSWA occurred in 36(19,4%) patients. Prolonged injury to arrival and surgical intervention time were contributing factors to the incidence of mortality (7.4%) from penetrating abdominal injury. Eight patients selected for conservative management required delayed laparotomy, which was negative. Selective conservative management is feasible without the use of expensive investigations.