Analysis of pattern and outcome of abdominal trauma in a tertiary hospital in Kano, Northwestern Nigeria

Background: Abdominal injuries are common surgical emergencies in casualty units of most developing countries. This is due to the high incidence of trauma arising from increased road traffic accidents and violent crimes as a result of socioeconomic and political conflicts. The aim of this study is to evaluate the pattern and outcome of abdominal trauma in our environment and recommend ways for improving the trauma services. Patients and Methods: The case records of 46 patients admitted during a period of 2 years, just before the onset of insurgency (2010–2011) and managed in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital were retrospectively studied for demographic characteristics, modes of injury, organs injured, treatments, and outcome. Data was collected on to Microsoft Excel 2010. Simple statistical parameters were calculated. Results: A total of 46 patients were studied; 35 (76.1%) of which had penetrating abdominal trauma (PAT) and 11 (23.9%) had blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). The male: female ratio was 8.2:1 with peak age range of 20–29 years. Stab wounds accounted for 46% and gunshot for 31% of PAT, while road traffic accidents (RTA) accounted for 82% of the BAT group. The intestine (41%), the liver (25%) are the most common organs injured in PAT, while the spleen and intestine each constituting 29% are the most frequent injured in BAT. Ninety-one percent had exploratory laparotomy, while (4) 9% were successfully managed non-operatively. The post- operative mortality rate was 16.7%. Conclusions: Abdominal trauma commonly affects the young adult males and remains a major source of morbidity and mortality in our society. Communal conflicts and road traffic accidents are the major causes. Promotion of ethno-religious harmony and road traffic education at the community level and establishment of trauma systems in hospitals will help forestall this trend.