The nature and severity of stab wounds at tertiary care hospitals in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Abdulmohsen Khlaif Alenazi,Ziad Ghanem Alanazi,Saif Sulaiman Altamimi,Yousef Khalid Alhuzaimi,Nasser Awadh Almutairi,Yasser Sulaiman Alayed

doi:10.11604/pamj.2019.34.212.20533

Abdulmohsen Khlaif Alenazi, Ziad Ghanem Alanazi + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2019.34.212.20533

Copy DOI

Abstract

IntroductionFights, domestic violence and street crimes are the major causes of stab wounds in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The objective of the study was to describe the nature and severity of stab wounds at a tertiary care hospital in KSA.MethodsA cross-sectional study, which included 106 patients, was conducted at the King Khalid Hospital and Prince Sultan Centre for Health Care in Al Kharj. The patients that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study after having confirmed their consent. The authors procured and analysed the patients’ clinical notes to obtain information that was pertinent to the study. The authors recorded all data within a Microsoft Excel document. SPSS 22.0 was utilized for statistical analysis.ResultsOf 106 patients, the majority were adolescents and young adults under the age of 40 (n = 77). Eighty-seven point seven percent of patients were male and 84.0% were Saudis. Demographic details were tabulated. The top three causes were fights (20.8%) followed by domestic violence (18.9%) and street crime (17.0%). Degree of shock, stabbing zones, injury to vessels, nerves and bones, injury severity score (ISS) and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) were tabulated.ConclusionThe nature and severity of stab wounds should be carefully evaluated and properly managed, as these may lead to serious complications.

Highlights

Trauma is one of the most prevalent causes of mortality worldwide, resulting in five million deaths every year [1]
The present study describes the nature and severity of stab wounds at a tertiary care hospital in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
This study is of great importance, in terms of the nature and severity of stab wounds occurring in KSA, as penetrating stab wounds may damage internal organs, resulting in serious outcomes, such as loss of function, shock, major surgeries, amputation and even death

Summary

Introduction

Trauma is one of the most prevalent causes of mortality worldwide, resulting in five million deaths every year [1]. A stab or puncture wound refers to a sharp force injury caused by the thrust of a sharp weapon or pointed instrument [6]. Stab wounds may result in penetrating or perforating injuries [7]. Stab wounds can be suicidal, homicidal or accidental. The most common type of stab wound is reported to be homicidal followed by suicidal, while accidental stab wounds are rare [8]. Penetrating stab wounds, whether homicidal or suicidal, may result in devastating or life-threatening outcomes. Such wounds can damage internal organs or vessels, especially in the chest and abdomen, leading to infection, shock and even death [2]. Stab wounds accounted for 11% of deaths caused by sharp force injuries [11]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion