The pattern of stab injuries in Port Harcourt

Abstract

All cases stabbing reporting to the casualty Department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) between 1st January 1997 and 31st December, 1997 were studied prospectively. Fifty new cases reported within the study period. Thirteen cases required admission while 37 cases were treated and discharged from the casualty department. The majority of injuries were minor and most victims were male and of these, students in the age group 21-30 years formed the greatest number. The most common weapon used was broken bottle and injuries involving multiple anatomic regions were in the majority. All cases requiring major surgical intervention reported within 6 hours of injury. No mortality was recorded.


Keywords: Stab wounds, Port Harcourt broken bottles, Students.


Résumé


Tous les cas de coups de poignard, rapports au Services des Accidentes du centre Hôspitalier Universitaire de Port Harcourt (UPTH) entre le 1er Janvier 1997 et le 31 Decembre 1997, étaient étudiés en perspective. Cinquante nouveaux cas necessitaient une admission tandis que trente – Sept cas étaient legeres et la plupart des victims étaient des males – don't des etudiants, ages de 21 a 30 ans, constituaient le plus grand nombre. L'arme la plus couramment utilisee était la bouteille brisee et les blessures necessitant de multiples regions anatomiques étaient dans la majorite des cas. Tous les cas necessitant une intervention cherurgicale majeure rapports a moins de 6 heures de accident. Aucune mortalitee n'était enregistres.


West African Journal of Medicine Vol.21(3) 2002: 223-225