Selective Nonoperative Management of Abdominal Stab Wounds with Isolated Omental Evisceration is Safe: A South African Experience

Background and Aims: Selective nonoperative management of abdominal stab wound is well established, but its application in the setting of isolated omental evisceration remains controversial. The aim of the study is to establish the role of selective nonoperative management in the setting of isolated omental evisceration. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted over an 8-year period from January 2010 to December 2017 at a major trauma center in South Africa to determine the outcome of selective nonoperative management. Results: A total of 405 consecutive cases were reviewed (91% male, mean age: 27 years), of which 224 (55%) cases required immediate laparotomy. The remaining 181 cases were observed clinically, of which 20 (11%) cases eventually required a delayed laparotomy. The mean time from injury to decision for laparotomy was <3 h in 92% (224/244), 3–6 h in 6% (14/244), 6–12 h 2% (4/244), and 12–18 h in 1% (2/244). There was no significant difference between the immediate laparotomy and the delayed laparotomy group in terms of length of stay, morbidity, or mortality. Ninety-eight percent (238/244) of laparotomies were positive and 96% of the positive laparotomies (229/238) were considered therapeutic. Conclusion: Selective nonoperative management for abdominal stab wound in the setting of isolated omental evisceration is safe and does not result in increased morbidity or mortality. Clinical assessment remains valid and accurate in determining the need for laparotomy but must be performed by experienced surgeons in a controlled environment.

Conservative management of penetrating abdominal trauma (stab wound)

Background: The aim of the study is to study the reliability of selective conservative management of the penetrating stab abdominal wounds. Trauma is one of the most important reasons of mortality. The mechanism that underlies the penetrating trauma relates to the mode of injury. The early diagnosis of hollow viscus injuries is difficult and a delay in the diagnosis of such injuries may be associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) is an effective for screening and initial classification of stable patients and confirmed by CT scan. The management of stable patients was either surgical exploration or selective non-operative interference with the optimal management of patients is yet to be fully elucidated for abdominal stab wounds (ASW).Methods: A prospective study of 40 patients with penetrating abdominal stab wounds between June 2017 and February 2018, at Damanhour Medical National Institute.Results: The mean age of our patients was 51.9±13.3 years with predominance of males and without predominance of any side to be affected and non-significant deviation from the normal values of hemodynamic signs. The presence of air under diaphragm in X-ray films signify abdominal penetration and ultrasonographic examination (FAST) document the diagnosis and help in following up of cases. Most of hemodynamically stable patients passed conservatively with a little rate of laparotomy.Conclusions: We concluded that there is still a role for conservative management in managing stable cases of penetrating stab abdominal wound.