title: Abdominal injuries in university of port harcourt teaching hospital.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Abdominal injury is relatively common in both civilian and military casualties and remains a major source of morbidity and mortality. The mechanism of injury may be blunt or penetrating. Some would require operative intervention, whereas others may be managed conservatively.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to determine the pattern and outcome of management of abdominal injuries in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective study of all patients with abdominal injuries seen and managed in UPTH over a 4-year period (from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2012). Relevant data were recorded and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-five patients were seen during the study period. There were 40 males (88.9%) and five females (11.1%) making a male to female ratio of 8:1. Their ages ranged from 15 to 45 years with a mean of 27.8 ± 1.6 years and 21 to 30 years was the most commonly affected age group. The mechanism of injury was penetrating in 33 patients (73.3%) and blunt in 12 patients (26.7%). Thirty-four patients (75.6%) had an exploratory laparotomy after resuscitation, while 11 (24.4%) were managed conservatively. Small bowel was the most commonly injured organ following penetrating injury, seen in 14 patients (42.4%) while spleen was the most common in blunt injuries, seen in five patients (41.7%). The most common postoperative complication was surgical site infection, seen in four patients (8.9%). Two patients died giving a mortality rate of 4.4%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gunshot to the abdomen is the most common cause of abdominal injury in UPTH. Serious campaign and legislation against militant and criminal activities would help to reduce the incidence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Amabra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dodiyi-Manuel
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Nze Japhet
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Jebbin
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Patrick Okechukwu
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Igwe
keywords: Abdominal injuries blunt; University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital; penetrating
references.citation: Singapore Med J. 1994 Jun;35(3):269-70
references.pmid: 7997901
references.citation: Injury. 1984 May;15(6):372-5
references.pmid: 6724678
references.citation: Acta Chir Belg. 2004 Aug;104(4):429-34
references.pmid: 15469156
references.citation: J R Coll Surg Edinb. 1998 Aug;43(4):230-4
references.pmid: 9735644
references.citation: N Am J Med Sci. 2012 Mar;4(3):129-34
references.pmid: 22454826
references.citation: Cent Afr J Med. 1991 Dec;37(12):409-15
references.pmid: 1806255
references.citation: Br J Surg. 1988 Mar;75(3):231-3
references.pmid: 3349330
references.citation: Niger Postgrad Med J. 2003 Mar;10(1):56-9
references.pmid: 12717467
references.citation: Injury. 1994 Sep;25(7):429-31
references.pmid: 7960045
references.citation: Int Surg. 1992 Jul-Sep;77(3):198-202
references.pmid: 1399369