title: [Selective approach to the penetrating stab wounds to the abdomen].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To present the results of the selective treatment on the penetrating stab wound to the abdomen
  
  
  METHODS
  From December 1997 to February 200, 175 patients had penetrating stab wound injuries to the abdomen. Of the 175 patients, 61 (34.9%) in Group I were taken to the operating room urgently, 114 (65.1%) in Group 11 were treated selectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It is evident that the rate of unnecessary laparotomies (X2=6.7, p=0.03), morbidity rate (X2=15.4, p<O.OO1), and hospital stay (F=54, p<O.OOO1 ) in the selectively treated group decrease significantly when compared with the non-selective group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Selective approach to the penetrating stab wounds to the abdomen is a safe method. Furthermore, this method obviates most of the unnecessary laparotomies. For this reason, morbidity rate and hospitalization decrease significantly. Key words: Conservative treatment, unnecessary laparotomy, morbidity, hospital stay.
authors.affiliation: Taksim Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi I. Genel Cerrahi Klinigi, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ilhan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Emergen
authors.forename: Feza
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ekiz
authors.forename: Tayfun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yucel
authors.forename: Ayhan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akpinar
authors.forename: Dogan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gonullu
authors.forename: Nesimi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mecit
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*