title: Penetrating abdominal injuries in children and adolescents.
abstract: One hundred thirty-two children and adolescents with penetrating abdominal trauma have been reported. Eighty-two of these patients had intraperitoneal injuries. Five of the injured patients died, and 35 suffered complications. Patterns of organ injuries were found to be similar to a previously studied adult series. Satisfactory results were obtained by simple management of specific injuries. Ninety-five per cent of the injured patients and 80% of uninjured patients could be accurately identified at initial physical examination. Selective observation of penetrating abdominal injuries can be safely employed in children and adolescents.
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003106:Colon / Q000293:injuries; D004386:Duodenum / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000293:injuries; D008099:Liver / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D008145:Louisiana; D008297:Male; D013270:Stomach / Q000293:injuries; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*