Single Center Experience of Stab Wound Management

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics and epidemiology of stab wound in a single center for 5 years. Methods: Eighty-seven patients visited the emergency room with stab wounds between March 2008 and October 2013. Patient demographics, location of the wound, injured internal organ, and clinical parameters were reviewed. Results: Among eighty seven patients, 59 were male, and the mean age was 45.6 years old (range, 18∼85 years old). The most common age group was fifth and sixth decades. The most common cause of stab injury was self-infliction (32 cases), followed by violence (31 cases) and accident (23 cases). Self-infliction injuries were associated with underlying psychological problems in 20 patients. The most common injured sites were abdomen (48 cases), followed by thorax (20 cases) and neck (12 cases). Emergent exploration was required in 37 patients. Four patients (4.6%) were dead due to hypovolemic shock after injury of the thorax (lung) or neck (transection of carotid artery and transection of trachea). The length of hospital stay was 3 days (0∼6.5 days) and the injury severity score (ISS) was 4 points (1∼9 points). ISS was associated with the length of hospital stay (p<0.001) and emergency exploration (p=0.001). Conclusion: Self-inflicted injury was the most common cause of stab injury and it was related to psychologic problems. The most common injured site was abdomen.

Keywords

• wounds and injuries
• stab wound