COMBAT WOUNDS OF THE ABDOMINAL ORGANS.
Abstract
The report is an analysis of combat wounds of the abdominal organs. The injuries were incurred by 358 US Army and Marine Corps personnel in Vietnam from July 1967 through June 1969. The colon was the most frequently injured organ in this study. It was followed closely by the liver and small intestine. Next in order of frequency were the stomach, kidney, and spleen. The treatment for most wounds of the transverse and descending colon was exteriorization of the injured segment as a loop colostomy. A smaller percentage of the colonic injuries required resection of extensive lesions with double-barrel colostomy. Most liver injuries were managed by drainage alone or by suture and drainage. Resection was required in only 15 of the 112 hepatic wounds. Nephrectomy is indicated for damage to the major renal vessels, rupture of the kidney, or extensive damage to tissue. Approximately half the kidney injuries in this study required nephrectomy. In several instances, it was observed that small, high-velocity missiles were capable of rupturing solid organs such as the liver, spleen, and kidney. Massive liver injury with hemorrhage and postoperative sepsis, usually after colostomy, were the major causes of death from abdominal trauma after reaching a medical facility. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0711530
Entities
People
- Ian Sunshine