Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A Prospective Study of Penetrating Abdominal Trauma at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Southern Nigeria

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background:

Abdominal injuries are on the increase in both developed and developing countries. The frequency of penetrating abdominal trauma (PAT) varies across the globe because it relates to industrialization, the weapons available, and the presence of military conflicts. This study sought to evaluate the current pattern and outcome of managementof PAT in Calabar, which is undergoing rapid urbanization, and with a focus on tourism.

Method:

Patients admitted to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar with PAT from February 2005 to January 2008 were prospectively studied.

Results:

Seventy-nine patients presented with abdominal trauma, among which 39 (49%) were PAT. There were 37 males and two females, whose ages ranged from 5 to 54 years (mean 27.8 years). Stab wound (18; 46.1%) was the commonest injury, while gunshot wound (15; 38.5%) ranked second. Others were road traffic accident (two patients), fall, cow horn injury, shrapnel, and criminal abortion (a patient each). The commonest injury was evisceration of the omentum and small intestine, which occurred in 13 (36%) patients. Five (14%) patients suffered small intestinal perforations, while three (8%) had liver, splenic and colonic injuries, respectively. Others were rectal injury (four patients), mesenteric injury and perforated stomach (two patients each), and a patient with diaphragmatic injury. The outcome was fatal in two (5%) patients.

Conclusion:

Penetrating abdominal trauma is on the increase in Calabar. The pattern of injury revealed areas which, when effectively contained, will lead to an improvement in the safety of our environment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Cope A, Stebbings W. Abdomen: In: Driscoll P, Skinner D, Earlam R, eds. ABC of Major Trauma, 3rd ed. London: BMJ Publishing Group, 2000:56–60.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Mong SJ, Lyle JA, Black M. A review of gunshot deaths in Strathclyde 1989–1998. Med Sci Law 2001;41:260–5.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Asuquo M, Nwagbara V, Ugare G, Inyang A. Inyang A. Penetrating abdominal trauma. Nig J Surg Sci 2005;15(2):47–51.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Dogo D, Yawe T, Hassan AW, Tahir B. Pattern of abdominal trauma in North Eastern Nigeria. Nig J Surg Res 2000;2:48–51.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Testa P, Legome E, Alson R, Talavera F, Hirshon JM, Halamka J, Kulkami R. Abdominal trauma, penetrating. eMedicine 2007:1–30. Available at http://www.eMedicine.com/emerg/topic2.htm.

  6. Naeder SB. Pattern of abdominal injuries in Korle BU Teaching Hospital, Accra. Ghana Med. J 1990;24:184–90.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Stanton-Maxey KJ, Bjerke HS, Dunn E, Talavera F, Sheridan RL, Zamboni P, Geibel J. Abdominal trauma, penetrating. eMedicine 2007:1–12. Available at http://www.eMedicine.com/MED/topic2805.htm.

  8. Ohanaka CE, Iribhogbe PC, Ofoegbu RO. Gunshot injuries in Benin city, Nigeria. Nig J Surg Sci 2000;10:81–5.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Tegegne A. Abdominal missile injuries in Gonder Hospital, North Western Ethiopia. Ethiopia Med J 1991;29:81–6.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Edino ST. Pattern of abdominal injuries in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano, Nigeria. Nig Postgrad Med J 2003;10:56–9.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Udobi KF, Rodriguez A, Chiu WC, Scalea TM. Role of ultrasonography in penetrating abdominal trauma: a prospective clinical study. J Trauma 2001;50:475–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Onyekwe LO, Ohaegbulam SC. Penetrating orbito-cranial and ocular cowhorn injuries. Niger J Clin Pract 2007;10:177–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Feliciano DV, Burch JM, Spjut-Patrinely V, Mattox KL, Jordan GLJr. Abdominal gunshot wounds: an urban trauma centre experience with 300 consecutive patients. Ann Surg 1988;208:362–70.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Simon RJ, Rabin J, Kuhls D. Impact of increased use of laparoscopy on negative laparotomy rates after penetrating trauma. J Trauma 2002;53(2):279–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, CRS, Nigeria

    Ogbu Ngim

  2. Department of Surgery, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, 1/3 Effanga Close, 1891, Cross River State, 540001, Calabar, CRS, Nigeria

    Maurice E. Asuquo

Authors
  1. Maurice E. Asuquo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Okon O. Bassey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Anietimfon U. Etiuma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Gabriel Ugare
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ogbu Ngim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maurice E. Asuquo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Asuquo, M.E., Bassey, O.O., Etiuma, A.U. et al. A Prospective Study of Penetrating Abdominal Trauma at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Southern Nigeria. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 35, 277–280 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-008-8089-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-008-8089-6

Key Words

Search

Navigation