Management of penetrating abdominal trauma

Background: Penetrating abdominal trauma is a common surgical emergency requiring prompt intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the patterns of intra-abdominal injuries resulting from penetrating trauma in a teaching hospital setting. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study including 122 patients treated at Al-Mouwasat University Hospital between 2022 and 2024. Clinical and demographic data were collected from patient files using a structured paper-based questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics via SPSS software. Results: The majority of patients were male (87%), and the most affected age group was 21–30 years. Surgical intervention was performed within 24 hours in 93% of cases, and 85% of patients were hemodynamically stable at admission. The most common cause of injury was gunshot wounds (33%), followed by blast injuries (26%). The small intestine was the most frequently injured organ (34.4%), followed by the spleen (32.7%). Postoperative complications included bleeding in 8.2%, infection in 14.7%, and mortality in 6.5% of patients. Conclusion: Early surgical intervention and detailed assessment of injury patterns significantly contribute to better patient outcomes. Our findings partially align with international data, with local variation in injury mechanisms.