Characterization of Adolescents with Stab Wounds on the Thoracoabdominal Region

Abstract

Introduction: Intentional stab wound trauma, which causes potentially fatal injuries, is one of the causes for frequent medical attention in the emergency department.

Objective: To characterize adolescents with stab wounds in the thoracoabdominal region.

Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in 94 patients with thoracoabdominal stab wounds admitted to Hospital Pediátrico Juan Manuel Márquez from January 2016 to December 2020. The variables studied were age, sex, wound type and location, caused injuries, performed surgical procedures, complications and casuistry according to the studied years.

Results: The male sex was the most frequent (92.6 %), together with ages between 15 and 18 years (87.2 %). Nonpenetrating injuries (60.7 %) and the thoracic location (59.8 %) predominated. Among penetrating injuries, open pneumothorax (31 %) dominated. The most frequently performed surgical procedures were traumatic wound suturing (100 %) and pleurostomy (44.8 %). Among the complications, pneumonia (35.2 %) and traumatic wound infection (17.6 %) prevailed. 2019 was the year with the highest number of cases (25.5 %).

Conclusions: Adolescents with thoracoabdominal stab wounds were generally characterized as males at ages between 15 and 18 years. Nonpenetrating thoracic wounds are the main injuries and wound suturing is the most frequently used surgical procedure. The most frequent complication is pneumonia.