title: Traumatic abdominal wall hernia--four cases and a review of the literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review blunt traumatic abdominal wall hernias (TAWHs) in our institution.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of blunt abdominal trauma cases over a 6-month period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four patients with TAWH were identified. The mean age was 36 years. Three had been involved in vehicular collisions, and 1 had been assaulted with a large stone. All were diagnosed on presentation, 3 by computed tomography scan and 1 clinically. Two were repaired as emergencies, and 1 was repaired after 4 months. The 4th patient refused surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This uncommon injury requires a high index of suspicion and a low threshold for intervention. CT scan offers the best imaging potential.
authors: Department of Surgery and Section of Trauma, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, W Cape.
authors: T C
authors: TC
authors: Hardcastle
authors: D F
authors: DF
authors: Du Toit
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Malherbe
authors: G N
authors: GN
authors: Coetzee
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Hoogerboord
authors: B L
authors: BL
authors: Warren
authors: C C
authors: CC
authors: Modin
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology