Blunt injuries to the abdomen in Makurdi, Benue State: Nigeria

Abstract

This paper reviews 95 patients treated for blunt injuries to the abdomen at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi between January, 1998 to December, 2002 were studied. The over all peak age at risk was 21 – 30 years. Road Traffic Accident (RTA) accounted for 67% of cases. The commonest vehicle of injury was the local taxi system ‘GOING' (ACHABA, OKADA) motorcycle. All patients had exploratory laparotomy. Splenic rupture was the commonest intra abdominal injury and was managed by splenectomy in all cases. Delay in presentation and slow reaction time were observed. These worsened the haemodynamic instability and further accounted for the high mortality rate of 26.6%.

Keywords: blunt injuries, road traffic accidents

Nigerian Journal of Surgical Research Vol. 7(1&2) 2005: 173-175