Background: Abdominal injuries both blunt and penetrating have been associated with considerable morbidity and mortality.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the pattern of abdominal trauma patients and their management at the Emergency Department in Sohag University Hospital.
Patients and methods: This prospective clinical study was carried out on 236 patients, with abdominal trauma. Patients were divided into two groups based on pattern of injury: Group A (blunt)and group B (penetrating). These were further divided into two groups according to hemodynamic stability.
Results: Cases with blunt and penetrating abdominal injuries, intensive care unit admission was required in 12 and 4 cases respectively.Abdominal ultrasonography was done in 130 (Blunt group) and 106 (Penetrating group) cases and showed hemoperitoneum in 130 and 46 cases respectively. Solid organ injury in 68 and 8 patients respectively. Erect X-ray abdomen and chest radiograph showed air under diaphragm in 2 and 5 cases respectively.Out of total 130 and 106 patients, based on their clinical condition 109 and 68 patients were taken for conservative management, selective non-operative management, of which 2 and 1 patients failed. Out of 236 cases, 200 cases had uneventful course on hospital and discharged home in good general condition. Complications were encountered in 27 cases, while mortality, related to septicemic shock, hypovolemic shock and acute respiratory distress syndrome, was seen in 9 cases.
Conclusions: The primary objective in the treatment of abdominal injuries is immediate resuscitation after an accurate clinical and radiological evaluation. Patients fated better when there was less time between trauma and intervention. It is well-established that patients were hemodynamically stable and those who had isolated, low-grade solid organ injuries benefit most from non-operative management.