Abstract

INTRODUCTION

: Penetrating stab wounds (PSW) are among the most frequent causes of

admissions to the emergency department.The current study attempted to

answer the question of whether unnecessary laparotomies could be reduced by

preoperative tests and physical examinations

METHODS

The electronic records of patients admitted to the

Emergency Service of the Ministry of xxxxxxx between 2008 and 2013 with penetrating stab wounds were retrospectively examined

RESULTS

: 29367 (96.7%) of total 30,356 patients were ambulatory patients. Of

these patients, 274 (27.7%) were hospitalized in general surgery clinics. 131

(47.8%) of these patients had abdominal injuries.120 patients who were

operated on were divided into two groups as necessary laparotomy

(therapeutic) in Group A, which consisted of 30 patients (25%) and

unnecessary laparotomy (nontherapeutic+negative laparotomy) in Group B,

which consisted of 90 patients (75%).While a thorax tube was inserted to eight

patients (26.7%) in Group A, a thorax tube was inserted to five (5.6%) patients

in Group B. Accidental mesenteric ischemia was observed in two patients in

which negative laparotomy was conducted, and while in one of them segmental

small intestinal resection and terminal ileostomy was performed, an inflamed

appendix was observed and appendectomy was performed. The histopathology

of appendix was consistent with carcinoid tumor.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Conservative treatment should be a strong option

in young patients who have stable hemodynamic conditions and who have no

alcohol intake, or anemia and thoracic trauma, and in which US and CT are

negative.