Abdominal Stab Wounds Research Articles

Abdominal stab wounds with retained knife: 15 years of experience from a major trauma centre in South Africa.

This study reviews our cumulative experience with the management of patients presenting with a retained knife following an abdominal stab wound (SW). A retrospective study was conducted at a major trauma centre in South Africa over a 15-year period from July 2006 to December 2020 including all patients who presented with a retained knife in the abdomen following a SW. A total of 42 cases were included: 37 males (93%) with a mean age of 26 years. A total of 18 knives (43%) were in the anterior abdomen and 24 were posterior abdomen. Plain radiography was performed in 88% (37/42) of cases and computed tomography was performed in 81% (34/42); 90% (38/42) underwent extraction in the operating theatre. Laparotomy was performed in 62% (26/42). Of all the laparotomies performed, 77% (20/26) were positive for intra-abdominal organ or visceral injury. Overall morbidity was 31%. There were two mortalities (5%). Laparotomy was less commonly required for the posterior abdomen (33% (8/24) vs 100% (18/18), p<0.001). For retained knives in the anterior abdomen, 72% (13/18) of the laparotomies were positive for intra-abdominal organ or visceral injury. For the posterior abdomen, 7 of the 8 (88%) were positive for intra-abdominal organ or visceral injury. There were no differences in the need for intensive care unit admission, length of hospital stay, morbidities or mortalities. Uncontrolled extraction of a retained knife in the abdomen outside of the operating theatre must be avoided. Retained knives in the anterior abdomen usually require formal laparotomy, but this is generally not required for posterior abdomen.

Relationship between the anatomical location and the selective non-operative management of penetrating stab wounds in the abdomen

IntroductionThe relationship between the anatomical location of penetrating abdominal stab wounds (SW) and the rate of selective non-operative management (SNOM) based on that location is scarcely reflected in the specialized literature. Our main objective has been to assess this rate based on the anatomical location, and our results. MethodsRetrospective review of a prospective registry of abdominal trauma from April 1993 to June 2020. The two study groups considered were the Operative Management (OM), and the SNOM, including in this one the use of diagnostic laparoscopy. Penetrating SWs in the abdomen were classified according to anatomical location. ResultsWe identified 259 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. SNOM was applied in 31% of the patients with a success rate of 96%, and it was more frequent in the lumbar, flank, and thoraco-abdominal regions; within the anterior abdomen it was more applicable in the RH, followed by the LH and epigastrium, respectively. An unnecessary laparotomy was done in 21% of patients, with the highest number in the epigastrium. Taking into account the unnecessary laparotomies and the rates of successful SNOM, 70.5% of lumbar, 66.5% of epigastric, 62% of flank, and 59% of RH penetrating SW could have been managed without a laparotomy. ConclusionsSNOM of penetrating SW in the abdomen has been safer and more applicable in those located in the lumbar, flank, epigastric, and RH regions.

Men’s Suicide by Self-abdominal Cut and Disembowelment: A Literature Review and Analysis of Three Cases

Introduction: Suicide by abdominal cut wounds and consequent disembowelment is a modality rarely described in the literature, with rates between 1.6% and 3%. The incidence is higher in men. This type of suicide might be so unusual as the abdominal injuries are not supposed to be related to immediate death (compared to the wrists or throat, which involves rapid bleeding, for example). Considering the infrequency of suicides by abdominal self-cutting, in such cases, the main hypothesis is a homicide, especially in those with multiple injuries or occurred in a complex setting. These cases require a detailed autopsy report with the analysis of the injuries and circumstances of death (e.g., farewell note, history of depression, previous suicide attempts, defense injuries, and signs of hesitation) to allow a differential diagnosis between suicide and homicide. This study aims to highlight the characteristics of suicides through self-cut wounding, focusing on those that determine a large abdominal opening and evisceration. Methods: The authors conducted the literature search using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, on PubMed and Scopus databases, using the following keywords: “(suicide) AND (abdominal stab wounds)”, “(suicide) AND (abdominal sharp injuries)”, “(suicide) AND (abdominal self-stabbing)”, “(suicide) AND (abdominal cut wounds)”. Results: 7 articles were included in the systematic review, for a total of 11 cases of suicide by abdominal self-cutting. Of these cases, 3 were women and 8 were men. Conclusions: The analysis of the external examination findings versus the crime scene results is essential to clarify if injuries are self-inflicted with suicidal intention. Suicide through a violent act can also be practiced by people who have no history of psychiatric conditions or other risk factors. Therefore, in cases of abdominal cut and evisceration with victims’ survival time, the forensic pathologist has to consider that the deceased himself could cause modifications to the crime scene, turning it into a complicated suicide.

A Case of Successful Laparoscopic Surgery to Control Bleeding in the Round Ligament of the Liver Caused by Upper Abdominal Stab Wounds

A Case of Successful Laparoscopic Surgery to Control Bleeding in the Round Ligament of the Liver Caused by Upper Abdominal Stab Wounds

Self-inflicted stab injury with abdominal evisceration: A case report

Introduction and importanceSelf-inflicted abdominal stab injury with an intention of self-harm is uncommon. Moreover, self-inflicted injury leading to avulsion of the colon has rarely been reported in the literature. We report a case of a 42-years-female with schizoaffective disorder who presented with self-inflicted stab injury on the abdomen resulting in abdominal evisceration.Presentation of caseA 42-years-female with schizoaffective disorder (F25) for 10 years presented to the emergency department with multiple, self-inflicted injuries on the abdomen. A large free portion of the omentum and segment of the bowel were brought in a plastic carry bag. Examination revealed multiple transverse hesitation cuts in the epigastrium and a single deep penetrating transverse cut resulting in the evisceration of the omentum and colon. Intra-operatively, avulsion of a large portion of the greater omentum and missing segment of the mid transverse colon was observed. The patient underwent an immediate abdominal exploration and side-to-side colo-colic anastomosis along with diversion ileostomy. At three months following primary surgery, ileostomy closure was done.ConclusionPatients with schizophrenia spectrum psychosis are at risk of self-harm and in our case a schizoaffective patient presented with self-inflicted injuries that required an emergency abdominal exploration and repair. This case highlights a multi-disciplinary approach for the management of these cases and mandates clinicians and caregivers to be more vigilant to restrict injuries in the future.

S2046 Conservative Management in a Patient With Recurrent Boerhaave Syndrome

Introduction: Boerhaave syndrome (BS) is rare and involves a full thickness tear of the esophagus. Nearly all cases require correction of the tear, either surgically or endoscopically. In rare cases when the patient has mild to no symptoms, no evidence of neoplastic tissue, and a swallow study showing no active leakage of contrast, conservative management can be attempted. Here we report a man with a history only notable for BS 9 months prior, who presented with another episode of BS. Case Description/Methods: A 30-year old man, with a past medical history of BS 9 months prior, managed conservatively at that time, and an abdominal stab wound 8 years ago, presented to the Emergency Department (ED) for 2 days of nausea, vomiting and decreased oral intake. Review of systems on presentation was notable only for sore throat and fatigue. His presenting vital signs were within normal limits and physical exam was notable only for a well healed abdominal surgical scar. Initial workup was remarkable for a creatinine of 2.0 and a chest x-ray that revealed subcutaneous emphysema overlying the neck and chest wall. A subsequent CT chest/abdomen/pelvis demonstrated extensive air tracking along the mediastinum, esophagus, bilateral neck and chest wall. A gastrografin swallow study showed no evidence of esophageal contrast extravasation. Cardiothoracic surgery and Gastroenterology both recommended conservative therapy. Throughout the hospital course, the patient remained hemodynamically stable and his creatinine returned to normal limits. The patient was kept NPO for 7 days, received IV pantoprazole twice a day, and a total of 7 days of piperacillin/tazobactam for broad spectrum antibiotic coverage. Given the duration of time he was kept NPO, total parenteral nutrition was administered. After 7 days, the patient was begun on a clear liquid diet and subsequently progressed to a regular diet over 24 hours. The patient was discharged on a 6 week course of omeprazole with a plan for an upper endoscopy 8 weeks later. Discussion: This is a rare case of recurrent BS managed conservatively with each episode. There is limited research published regarding conservative management of BS, which adds a layer of difficulty to medical decision making for patients such as these. Continuing to report and investigate conservatively managed BS cases would be greatly beneficial in assisting future providers in the management of BS.

The role of leukocytes in predicting whether laparotomy is required in patients with penetrating abdominal stab wound

BackgroundThis study aimed to determine the importance of leukocytes, leukocyte subgroups, platelets, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in deciding whether laparotomy is required during observation in patients with penetrating abdominal stab wounds who were followed up because there was no indication for an emergency laparotomy. MethodsPatients who did not indicate an emergency laparotomy were monitored. After 48 hours from initial hospitalization, patients who did not require laparotomy were discharged nonoperatively. The total leukocytes, leukocyte subsets, platelets, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio of patients who underwent laparotomy during the follow-up compared with those who were discharged nonoperatively. The sensitivity and specificity of these laboratory values in predicting the necessity of laparotomy were calculated. ResultsIn the operated group (n = 71), leukocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio examined during observation were significantly higher (P < .001). Eosinophils and lymphocytes were significantly lower (P < .001) than in nonoperated (n = 476). Based on the deviation in the reference ranges of leukocyte and its subgroups, we report the sensitivity and specificity for predicting the necessity of laparotomy as 86% and 72% for leukocyte, 88% and 75% for neutrophil, 92% and 83% for neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and 72% and 77% for platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, respectively. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the cut-off value was found to be 4 for neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and 125 for platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (area under the curve/receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.929 and 0.808, respectively). ConclusionLeukocyte, leukocyte subgroups, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio may be useful to determine if a laparotomy is necessary in patients in whom the necessity of laparotomy is undetermined owing to unclear examination findings.

The impact of prehospital time intervals on mortality in moderately and severely injured patients.

Modern trauma systems and emergency medical services aim to reduce prehospital time intervals to achieve optimal outcomes. However, current literature remains inconclusive on the relationship between time to definitive treatment and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between prehospital time and mortality. All moderately and severely injured trauma patients (i.e., patients with an Injury Severity Score of 9 or greater) who were transported from the scene of injury to a trauma center by ground ambulances of the participating emergency medical services between 2015 and 2017 were included. Exposures of interest were total prehospital time, on-scene time, and transport time. Outcomes were 24-hour and 30-day mortality. Generalized linear models including inverse probability weights for several potential confounders were constructed. A generalized additive model was constructed to enable visual inspection of the association. We included 22,525 moderately and severely injured patients. Twenty-four-hour and 30-day mortality were 1.3% and 7.3%, respectively. On-scene time per minute was significantly associated with 24-hour (relative risk [RR], 1.029; 95% confidence interval, 1.018-1.040) and 30-day mortality (RR, 1.013; 1.008-1.017). We found that this association was also present in patients with severe injuries, traumatic brain injury, severe abdominal injury, and stab or gunshot wound. An on-scene time of 20 minutes or longer demonstrated a strong association with 24-hour (RR, 1.797; 1.406-2.296) and 30-day mortality (RR, 1.298; 1.180-1.428). Total prehospital (24-hour: RR, 0.998; 0.990-1.007; 30-day: RR, 1.000, 0.997-1.004) and transport (24-hour: RR, 0.996; 0.982-1.010; 30-day: RR, 0.995; 0.989-1.001) time were not associated with mortality. A prolonged on-scene time is associated with mortality in moderately and severely injured patients, which suggests that a reduced on-scene time may be favorable for these patients. In addition, transport time was found not to be associated with mortality. Prognostic and Epidemiologic; level III.

Laparotomy for Abdominal Stab Wound With Combined Omental and Organ Evisceration: 10-Year Experience From a Major Trauma Centre in South Africa.

Combined omental and organ evisceration following anterior abdominal stab wound (SW) is uncommon and there is a paucity of literature describing the management and spectrum of injuries encountered at laparotomy. A retrospective study was undertaken on all patients who presented with anterior abdominal SW involving combined omental and organ evisceration who underwent laparotomy over a 10-year period from January 2008 to January 2018 at a major trauma centre in South Africa. A total of 61 patients were eligible for inclusion and all underwent laparotomy: 87% male, mean age: 29years. Ninety-two percent (56/61) had a positive laparotomy whilst 8% (5/61) underwent a negative procedure. Of the 56 positive laparotomies, 91% (51/56) were considered therapeutic and 9% (5/56) were non-therapeutic. In addition to omental evisceration, 59% (36/61) had eviscerated small bowel, 28% (17/61) had eviscerated colon and 13% (8/61) had eviscerated stomach. A total of 92 organ injuries were identified. The most commonly injured organs were small bowel, large bowel and stomach. The overall complication rate was 11%. Twelve percent (7/61) required intensive care unit admission. The mean length of hospital stay was 9days. The overall mortality rate for all 61 patients was 2%. The presence of combined omental and organ evisceration following abdominal SW mandates laparotomy. The small bowel, large bowel and stomach were the most commonly injured organs in this setting.

Evaluation of diagnostic laparoscopy for penetrating abdominal injuries: About 131 anterior abdominal stab wound.

The management of hemodynamically stable patients with anterior abdominal stab wounds (AASW) is debated. Mini-invasive techniques using laparoscopy and non-operative management (NOM) have reduced the rate of nontherapeutic laparotomies after AASW leading to unnecessary morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine with a systematic diagnostic laparoscopy of peritoneal penetration (PP), patients who do not require abdominal exploration in the management of stable patient with an AASW. All patients with AASW were retrospectively recorded from 2006 to 2018. Criteria of inclusion were AASW patients who underwent a systematic diagnostic laparoscopy. Criteria of exclusion were patients with an evisceration, impaling, clinical peritonitis, and hemodynamic instability. If no PP was detected, laparoscopy was terminated. If defects of peritoneum were found, a laparotomy was performed looking for diagnosis and treatment of intra-abdominal injuries. On 131 AASW patients, 35 underwent immediate emergency laparotomy, 96 underwent diagnostic laparoscopy, 47 were positive (PP) and had an intra-abdominal exploration by laparotomy, 32 (68.1%) had intra-abdominal injuries which required treatment. All patients with an intra-abdominal injury had a positive diagnostic laparoscopy. For the 49 patients with a negative laparoscopy, the mean hospital stay was 1.6days with ambulatory care for some patients. No patient presented a delayed injury. Non-therapeutic laparotomy rate was 15.6%. For patients who did not have an intra-abdominal injury the morbidity rate was low (3%). Our study shows that diagnostic laparoscopy was safe, with a low duration of hospitalization, a possible ambulatory care and had an excellent ability to screen the patients who did not need a abdominal exploration. This management can avoid many unnecessary laparotomies with an acceptable rate of negative laparotomy, without any delayed diagnosis of intra-abdominal injuries and with a low morbidity rate.

Injuries Sustained During Incarceration Among Prisoners

BackgroundThe U.S. prison population has increased substantially in recent years, and violent injury is common among prisoners. We sought to describe injury patterns and other characteristics of prisoners who presented to a trauma center after injury. Because penetrating trauma from an improvised weapon (e.g., shank) is frequent, we also sought to compare characteristics and outcomes of prisoners and non-prisoners who sustained an anterior abdominal stab or shank wound (AASW). MethodsWe analyzed injured adult prisoners who presented to a Level 1 trauma center between February, 2011, and April, 2017. We described characteristics of the injured prisoners and their hospitalizations. We compared prisoners who sustained an AASW to a random sample of non-prisoners with the same mechanism of injury using the chi-square test, Student's t-test, and logistic and Poisson regression. ResultsOf 14,461 hospitalized injured adults, 299 (2.0%) were injured while incarcerated. 185 (62%) encounters involved interpersonal violence and 36 prisoners (12%) presented with self-inflicted injuries. 98 (33%) had a psychiatric disorder. Among 33 prisoners and 66 non-prisoners who sustained an AASW, prisoners were less likely to have undergone a laparotomy [14/33 (42%) vs 44/66 (67%); RR 0.64 (95% CI 0.41-0.98)] or sustained an injury requiring operative intervention [2/33 (6%) vs 23/66 (35%); RR 0.17 (95% CI 0.04-0.69)]. ConclusionsMany injured prisoners have psychiatric illness, are involved in interpersonal violence, or harm themselves. Among hospitalized patients, abdominal stab/shank wounds sustained in prison are less likely to result in significant injuries or operative intervention than similar wounds in non-prisoners.

Pattern of Abdominal Stab Injury in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Background: Abdominal stab injury is a type of penetrating abdominal injury. The management may be operative or non-operative. Objectives: To determine the pattern, treatment options and outcome in abdominal stab injuries. Methods: This was a retrospective study carried out over 4 years between January 2014 and December 2017, at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. Patients aged 18 years and above formed the study population. The case files of the patients were retrieved from the medical record. The information obtained included age, gender, injury to arrival time (IAT), type of weapon, the abdominal injury sustained, clinical symptoms and signs, surgical intervention time (SIT), type of surgery carried out, operative findings and complications. Results: Overall, there were 34 patients made up of 30 (88.2%) males and 4 (11.8%) females with a male to female ratio of 7.5:1. The mean age of the patients was 30±8.9 years with the age range of 17-50 years. The mean injury to arrival time (IAT) was 2.0±1.6 hours; surgery intervention time (SIT) was 5.9±5.6 hours. Twenty (58.8%) patients had laparotomy while 14 (41.2%) were successfully managed non-operatively. Post-operative complications included surgical site infection (SSI), entrance wound infection, intra-peritoneal abscess and intestinal obstruction. There was no mortality. Conclusion: Abdominal stab injury was predominant among males and can be managed by the operative method or non-operative method in the absence of significant visceral injury. Selective non-operative management was effective in avoiding unnecessary laparotomy in more than one-third of the cases.

CORRELATION BETWEEN TIME TO HOSPITALIZATION AND THROMBOELASTOGRAPHY PARAMETERS IN PATIENTS WITH SPLENIC INJURIES IN THE EARLY POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD

This study included 30 patients with abdominal stab wounds and splenic injuries who had undergone thromboelastography. All patients were divided into two groups (15 patients in each). Group A included individuals admitted to a healthcare institution within an hour after injury; Group B comprised patients who arrived to a healthcare institution more than one hour after injury. We found that splenectomy in patients with penetrating splenic injury causes changes in hemostasis manifesting as an increase in all thromboelastography parameters. These parameters correlated with the time to hospitalization: patients admitted to hospital within an hour after injury demonstrated thromboelastography changes on day 3 postoperatively and later with restoration registered by day 7 postoperatively. Patients who arrived to hospital later had more pronounced thromboelastography changes that were observed already 1 day postoperatively with restoration on day 10. Patients in both groups matched for age, gender, type of injury, blood loss, and overall performance.

Relación entre la localización anatómica y el manejo selectivo no operatorio de las heridas por arma blanca penetrantes en abdomen

IntroductionThe relationship between the anatomical location of penetrating abdominal stab wounds (SW) and the rate of selective non-operative management (SNOM) based on that location is scarcely reflected in the specialized literature. Our main objective has been to assess this rate based on the anatomical location, and our results. MethodsRetrospective review of a prospective registry of abdominal trauma from April 1993 to June 2020. The two study groups considered were the Operative Management (OM), and the SNOM, including in this one the use of diagnostic laparoscopy. Penetrating SWs in the abdomen were classified according to anatomical location. ResultsWe identified 259 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. SNOM was applied in 31% of the patients with a success rate of 96%, and it was more frequent in the lumbar, flank, and thoraco-abdominal regions; within the anterior abdomen it was more applicable in the RUQ, followed by the LUQ and epigastrium, respectively. An unnecessary laparotomy was done in 21% of patients, with the highest number in the epigastrium. Taking into account the unnecessary laparotomies and the rates of successful SNOM, 70,5% of lumbar, el 66,5% of epigastric, 62% of flank, and 59% of RUQ penetrating SWs could have been managed without a laparotomy. ConclusionsSNOM of penetrating SWs in the abdomen has been safer and more applicable in those located in the lumbar, flank, epigastric, and RUQ regions.

Are Self-Inflicted Stab Wounds Less Severe Than Assaults? Analysis of Injury and Severity by Intent

BackgroundAlthough there is evidence that self-inflicted abdominal stab wounds are less severe than those from assault, it is unclear if this is true in other anatomic regions. This study compares severity and injury pattern between self-inflicted stab wounds (SISWs) and wounds from assault (ASW). Materials and MethodsStab wounds from our level I trauma registry from 2013 to 2018 were reviewed. Data included age, gender, self-inflicted versus assault, psychiatric or substance use history, anatomic location, operative intervention, injury severity, length of stay, and outcomes. ResultsOver the study period, 1390 patients were identified. History of psychiatric diagnoses or previous suicide attempts was more frequent in SISWs (47% versus 6.5%, P < 0.01; 35% versus 0.4%, P < 0.01). SISWs had a higher incidence of wounds to the neck and abdomen (44% versus 11%, P < 0.01; and 34% versus 26%, P = 0.02). Overall, injuries from ASW had a higher injury severity score, but more procedures were performed on SISWs (46% versus 34%, P < 0.01). SISWs to the neck were more likely to undergo procedures (26% versus 15%, P = 0.04). Median hospital charges were higher in patients with SISWs ($58.6 K versus $39.4 K, P < 0.01). ConclusionsSISWs have a distinct pattern of injuries, more commonly to the neck and abdomen, when compared with injuries resulting from ASW. The patients with SISWs have a higher rate of procedures, longer length of stay, and higher hospital charges despite low injury severity overall.

Radiographic pneumoperitoneum following abdominal stab wound is not an absolute indication for mandatory laparotomy – A South African experience

IntroductionPneumoperitoneum on chest radiograph (CXR) following abdominal stab wounds (SW) is generally considered as surrogate evidence of viscus perforation and an absolute indication for laparotomy. The exact yield of this radiographic finding is unknown. Materials and methodsA retrospective study was conducted on all patients who presented with abdominal SW with no peritoneal signs but had pneumoperitoneum alone who underwent mandatory laparotomy from December 2012 to October 2020 at a major trauma centre in South Africa. ResultsDuring the 8-year study period, 55 patients were included (91% male, mean age: 24 years). Laparotomy was positive in 67% (37/55). Of the 37 positive laparotomies, 28 (76%) were considered therapeutic and the remaining 9 (24%) were nontherapeutic. The negative laparotomy rate was 33%. A total of 52 organ injuries were identified at laparotomy in the 37 positive laparotomies. Twenty-five per cent (14/55) of patients experienced complications. The complication rate of the subgroup of 18 patients who had a negative laparotomy was 33% (6/18). Two per cent (1/55) of all 55 patients required intensive care admission. The mean length of hospital stay was 6 days. There were no mortalities in this cohort. ConclusionsPneumoperitoneum alone in patients with no peritoneal signs on initial assessment following abdominal SW cannot be considered an absolute indication for operative exploration. Up to one third of patients have no intra-abdominal injuries. This specific subgroup of patients can potentially be managed by a selective non-operative management approach.

Should the management approach to the anterior abdominal stab wound be different in patients with self-inflicted abdominal injury?

BackgroundSelf-inflicted injury is a leading cause of death worldwide. It is hypothesized that due to instincts for self-preservation, the severity of abdominal injury would be decreased following suicidal self-stabbing in comparison to stab wounds from assault, and therefore a more conservative management might be considered. MethodsAll patients with isolated abdominal stab wound (SW) admitted to 19 Trauma Centers in Israel between the years 1997 and 2018 were included in the study. Patients with self-inflicted abdominal SW (Group I) were compared to victims with abdominal SW following assault (Group II). ResultsGroup I included 9.4% (314/3324) of patients eligible for this study. Compared to Group II, Group I patients were older (median: 39 years, IQR 28,52 vs. 24 years, IQR 19,33; p<0.001), had more females (28.7% vs 4.9%, p <0.001), had longer length of hospitalization (median: 3 days vs. 2 days; p<0.001), underwent surgery more frequently (55.4% vs. 37.4%; p<0.001), and had higher mortality (2.9% vs. 0.7%; p=0.003). Possible covariates for mortality were examined and following logistic regression, self-inflicted injury remained associated with higher death rates compared to assault (OR 4.027, CI95% 1.380, 11.749; p=0.011). ConclusionIn this study, patients with isolated self-inflicted abdominal injuries had higher mortality and more frequently underwent abdominal surgery.

A fatal case of self-inflicted abdominal stab wound

In general, suicide by stab wound is rare especially among females and often challenges the medico-legal acumen of an autopsy surgeon while deciding the manner of death. In this report, we present a case of a 46 year old woman found dead in her home with a single abdominal stab wound. No other injury including hesitation wounds was found during autopsy. History given by the relatives revealed that she was mentally unstable and was suffering from a chronic illness. The death was labeled a suicide based on the findings observed during autopsy along with those found at the crime scene and the personal history of the victim.

An Emergency Case of Posterior Abdominal Stab Wound Treated by Thoracotomy and Laparotomy

An Emergency Case of Posterior Abdominal Stab Wound Treated by Thoracotomy and Laparotomy

Does the problem of foreign language and substance / alcohol usage increase the rate of non-therapeutic laparotomy in penetrating abdominal stab injuries?

Does the problem of foreign language and substance / alcohol usage increase the rate of non-therapeutic laparotomy in penetrating abdominal stab injuries?