ABDOMINAL INJURY AND ITS OUTCOME- A PROSPECTIVE STUDY IN A TERTIARY HEALTH CARE CENTER.

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Abhishek Jina,
Assistant Professor, Department of General Surgery,
27 Doctors Enclave, Rapti Nagar,
Phase III, Near Shahpur Thana,
Gorakhpur-27300, Uttar Pradesh, India.
E-mail: drabhishekjina@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

In spite of the advancement in medical technology, trauma remains a major health threat causing significant mortality and morbidity worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and cause of the various abdominal injuries and compare the incidence, management, and outcome of blunt trauma and penetrating trauma abdominal injuries.

METHODS

Total 99 patients who had visited the surgery department BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur, U. P., from April 2016 to March 2017 (one-year period) were included in this prospective study. Both blunt as well as penetrating trauma patients were included in the study. After recording  a detailed history, all relevant laboratory and radiological investigations were done. Depending on the initial test reports, patients underwent either operative or conservative treatment. Postoperative complications, if any, were also recorded.

RESULTS

In the present study, majority of patients were in 11-20 years age group. Male to female ratio was found to be 5:1. Blunt trauma is more common than penetrating trauma with a ratio of 3.7:1, and in penetrating trauma stab injury is more common than gunshot injury with a ratio of 3:1. In blunt trauma abdomen, road traffic accident was the most common mode of injury (57.7%) followed by falling from a height (30.8%) and assault (10.2%). In penetrating trauma abdomen, assault is the most common mode of injury (81%) followed by a road traffic accident (9.5%). Pain abdomen was the most common symptom (100%) in both groups. Most of the patients were treated by conservative management in both groups. A low mortality rate was reported in the present study (3.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Abdominal trauma is one of the major health hazards among the younger male population. The most common mode of abdominal trauma is road traffic accident in the blunt trauma group, whereas in the penetrating group, gunshot and stabbing were the most common causes of injury. Conservative therapy was the most common mode of treatment in both groups. No major organ injuries were seen during radiological investigations.