The nature and severity of stab wounds at tertiary care hospitals in KSA

Abstract

Introduction: fights, domestic violence and street crimes are the major causes of stab wounds in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The objective of the study was to describe the nature and severity of stab wounds at a tertiary care hospital in KSA.

Methods: a cross - sectional study, which included 106 patients, was conducted at the King Khalid Hospital and Prince Sultan Centre for Health Care in Al Kharj. The patients that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study after having confirmed their consent. The authors procured and analysed the patients’ clinical notes to obtain information that was pertinent to the study. The authors recorded all data within a Microsoft Excel document. SPSS 22.0 was utilized for statistical analysis.

Results: of 106 patients, the majority were adolescents and young adults under the age of 40 (n = 77). Eighty-seven point seven percent of patients were male and 84.0% were Saudis. Demographic details were tabulated. The top three causes were fights (20.8%) followed by domestic violence (18.9%) and street crime (17.0%). Degree of shock, stabbing zones, injury to vessels, nerves and bones, injury severity score (ISS) and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) were tabulated.

Conclusion: the nature and severity of stab wounds should be carefully evaluated and properly managed, as these may lead to serious complications.