title: Non-therapeutic operations for penetrating trauma: early morbidity and mortality.
abstract: A prospective study was carried out to assess the incidence and type of complications after non-therapeutic operations for penetrating trauma. A total of 372 operations were performed on 368 patients with penetrating injuries to the abdomen (240 procedures), chest (49), neck (48) and extremities (35). There were 46 negative or non-therapeutic operations. The incidence of major complications directly related to anaesthesia or operation in this group of patients was 4 percent (two patients). The operation might have contributed to a further three major complications. The mean hospital stay for patients undergoing uncomplicated non-therapeutic operation was 4.1 days; for those with complications it was 21.2 days. It is concluded that non-therapeutic operations for penetrating trauma carry a significant morbidity rate. A policy of selective conservatism is advocated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Baragwanath Hospital, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Demetriades
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vandenbossche
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ritz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goodmann
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kowalszik
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007813:Laparotomy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019838:Neck Injuries; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D013908:Thoracotomy; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000601:surgery*