Transabdominal Impalement: Absence of Visceral or Vascular Injury a Rare Possibility

Abstract

Background: Abdominal impalement injuries are usually associated with visceral and vascular injury, causing significant morbidity and mortality. The management of these injuries poses specific challenges in prehospital care, transport, and management strategies. Objective: We report a case of transabdominal impalement with no injury to intra-abdominal visceral or vascular structures, demonstrating a chance occurrence. The literature regarding abdominal impalement injury is reviewed and the management of these injuries is discussed. Case Report: A 35-year-old man with a transabdominal impalement injury after an accidental fall from a tree on to a wooden fence was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department. The wooden fence piece was impaled and in situ. Laparotomy revealed no intra-abdominal visceral or vascular injury. Conclusion: Transabdominal impalement injuries pose peculiar challenges in prehospital care, transport to hospital, and management. Operative intervention is required in all cases for a conclusive and safe management, as the possibility of escaping intra-abdominal injury is very rare.