Clinical presentation and management outcome of abdominal stab wounds in a low-resource setting: experience of a central hospital in Sudan

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Abdominal stab injuries are a major public health concern worldwide, especially in African countries. This study aimed to examine the presentation patterns and management outcomes of abdominal stab wounds. METHODS: This descriptive, prospective, cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted at Wad Medani Teaching Hospital, including all patients with abdominal stab wounds from January 2022 to December 2022. Patient characteristics and clinical presentations were documented. Factors influencing management outcomes were analyzed and correlated. RESULT: The total number of patients admitted to the hospital with abdominal stab wounds is 47. The most common age group is between 20 and 29 years (38.3%), with the majority being male (97.9%). They are mainly from Gezira State (61.7%) and live in rural areas (38.3%). The most common occupation among them is labor, making up 51.1%. Patients were admitted within the first two hours in 57.5% of cases. The organs most often involved in this study include the small bowel, large bowel, and mesentery, affecting 27.7%, 23.4%, and 17.0% of patients, respectively. Additionally, 25.4% of patients sustained associated injuries. Of the 40 patients treated, 30 (60.8%) underwent a laparotomy. From a total of 30 laparotomies, 14 patients (46.6%) underwent resection and anastomosis, while 7 patients (23.3%) had their small bowel injuries repaired. Most patients recovered, while four (8.5%) developed complications. CONCLUSION: In our setting, abdominal stab wounds predominantly affect young males in their productive years. The small intestine is the most frequently injured organ, and most patients require an exploratory laparotomy as part of their treatment.