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Diagonal Thoraco-abdominal Arrow and Gunshot Injuries as Seen at Juba Teaching Hospital, South Sudan .
Achiek, M.M.; Tawad, F.K.; Alier, B.M. & Yur, C.T.
Abstract
Background:
Civil wars and inner city violence in Africa and worldwide are associated with
multiple severe injuries to various anatomical sites or combined. The thoraco-abdominal
variety tends to cause high mortality or significant morbidity and they warrant an auditing
study to guide practice and reduce mortality.
Methods:
At Juba Teaching Hospital, South Sudan we receive numerous victims of gunshot
or arrow shot injuries to most parts, head, neck, chest abdomen, pelvis, and limbs or
combined.
Between Dec.2012-Jan.2014, we managed a significant
number of casualties,
and out of this number we selected to study prospectively the outcome of management of
patients with thoraco-abdominal arrow and gunshot injuries.
Results:
We managed 23 patients. 22 adult males and one female child aged 7years, mean
age (29) and range 7-59years. 11 patients (47.8%) survived and discharged and 12/23
died (52.2%).
*Two patients died on table before operative intervention.
Conclusion:
Diagonal thoraco-abdominal gunshot and arrowshot injuries are associated
with high mortality in African setting with limited
resources that do not include specialist
and intensive therapies units.
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