Gluteal stab wound is a frequent and potentially dangerous injury.
BACKGROUND
Stab wounds to the gluteal area are a frequent injury in an urban trauma centre. These injuries may appear innocuous but is potentially life threatening. Therefore they deserve timely evaluation and management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our experience with this type of injury and to propose a treatment protocol.


METHODS
During the last 5 years 269 patients with stab injuries, were admitted to our Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM). Thirty-nine patients (14%) who had gluteal penetration were included in this study. Patients' charts were retrospectively reviewed for demographic data, type of injury and additional injuries, evaluation, management and outcome.


RESULTS
Stab wound of the gluteal region was the most frequent injury after chest and abdominal injuries. Thirty patients presented with soft tissue damage only and nine were severely injured. Seven of the severely injured patients had significant bleeding; two of them were treated by embolisation. One patient suffered a rectal injury and one a small bowel perforation, both treated surgically. There was no post-operative complication or mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
Penetration of the gluteal is a potentially life threatening injury. Meticulous observation and high level of suspicion ensure early treatment and can prevent mortality.
Susmallian
Sergio
S
Department of Surgery B, E. Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel. sergio9@bezeqint.net
Ezri
Tiberiu
T
Elis
Marina
M
Dayan
Katia
K
Charuzi
Ilan
I
Muggia-Sullam
Michael
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002081:Buttocks / Q000293:injuries*; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D012007:Rectum / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*