title: The management of stab wounds to the back.
abstract: The management of stab wounds to the back is controversial. There are certain clear indications for exploratory laparotomy, but most cases require a diagnostic workup and a period of observation. In this article, different diagnostic modalities are presented, including local wound exploration, diagnostic peritoneal lavage, abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan, triple-contrast abdominal CT scan, and intravenous pyelography (IVP). Recommendations for management are given, with emphasis on abdominal CT scan and observation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts 02118, USA.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kahn
mesh_terms: D019567:Back Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy; D010533:Peritoneal Lavage; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014567:Urography; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000175:diagnosis*