[Results of surgery in gunshot and stab injuries of the trunk].

Abstract

Between 1981 and 1990, 105 patients suffering from gunshot and stab wounds were admitted to the Department of Surgery of Zürich University Hospital. There were 17 female and 88 male patients aged 16-74 years (average 31 years) whose charts were studied retrospectively. 44 patients demonstrated gunshot injuries, while 60 suffered from stabwounds and 1 patient had both. The injuries were the result of a crime in 59, a suicide in 33 and an accident in 11 cases. In 2 patients the cause was not conclusive proven. Injuries to the lung (n = 54), the liver (n = 27) and to the stomach (n = 23) were seen most frequently. 45 patients underwent laparotomy, while 16 had a thoracotomy performed. Both thoracotomy and laparotomy were necessary in 10 cases. Complications were observed in 29.5% of the cases. They were significantly more frequent in patients with gunshot injuries (p < 0.0004). Overall mortality amounted to 14.3% (n = 15). Patients with gunshot wounds had a significantly higher mortality rate (p < 0.0005). Debridement and selective closure of the wounds (n = 25) did not result in a higher rate of abscess formation than open treatment (n = 17).