penetrating abdominal trauma
Last reviewed 01/2018
Penetration of organs has two main consequences:
- solid organs bleed and may cause hypovolaemic shock
- perforation of hollow organs causes peritonitis and infection
The form of penetrating injury is important:
- low velocity:
- such as a stab or bullet with a velocity < 200 m/s
- the tissues traversed by the object are damaged directly
- high velocity:
- such as a bullet with a velocity > 200 m/s
- the shock wave and temporary cavitation result in damage far removed from the trajectory of the object