Clinico-demographic and anatomical distribution of traumatic gastrointestinal perforation: an observational study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine the cause and anatomical distribution of traumatic gastrointestinal perforation and its management.

Methods: The study was done in the Department of Trauma & Emergency Medicine for one year. A total of 200 patients with traumatic gastrointestinal perforation were included.

Results: Out of 200 patients, 170 were males and 30 were females. Maximum patients (51%) were found in the age group of 21-40 years of age. In our study, RTA was the most common mode of trauma with a total of 45% of patients followed by falls with 41% of patients. In our study, 141 patients presented with blunt trauma while 59 presented with penetrating injury. In our study, traumatic perforation was most commonly seen in the jejunum accounting for 65% of the patients. The jejunum was also the common site of perforation in patients with blunt trauma. In patients with penetrating injury, the most common site of perforation was the colon seen in 22 patients. In most of the patients, primary repair of the perforations was done accounting for 70% of the patients. Resection anastomosis was done in 14% of the patients while 16% of the patients underwent primary repair with stoma.

Conclusion: RTA forms the most common mode of gastrointestinal injury. Compared to penetrating abdominal injuries, blunt abdominal trauma occurs more frequently. The most frequent organ damaged in gastrointestinal trauma is the jejunum. Reducing mortality and morbidity requires early diagnosis and treatment.