Main Article Content

The Pattern of Abdominal Trauma as Seen at Muhimbili National Hospital Dar es Salaam, Tanzania


OV Nyongole
LO Akoko
IE Njile
AH Mwanga
LE Lema

Abstract

Background: Abdominal trauma is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in all age groups in the world. However, identifying serious intra-abdominal pathology due to trauma can be a challenge. Mechanisms of injury often result in other associated injuries that may divert the physician's attention from potentially life-threatening intra-abdominal
pathology. So this study aimed at showing the pattern of abdominal trauma at our hospital.
Methodols: We recruited patients presenting at the EMD with abdominal injury and used a structured questionnaire to collect patient information.
Results: A total of 92 patients with abdominal trauma were surgically managed with male to female ratio of 7.4:1. The age range was 7 to 55years with a mean of 29.43. The majority (67.4%) of the patients were aged between 21 -40 years. Petty traders made up 42.3% of all cases. Motor Traffic Injuries accounted for 55.4%, with blunt trauma contributing 65.3% of the study population. Substance abuse was also reported in a number of cases. The overall mortality of 7.6% was observed.
Conclusion: Most causes of abdominal trauma were preventable, with substance abuse having influence. Non therapeutic laparotomy was high probably due to deficiencies in investigation modalities in our set up.

Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 2073-9990
print ISSN: 1024-297X