Pattern of abdominal injuries in Korle Bu Teaching Hospital; Accra

ABSTRACT

Two hundred and thirty-four cases of abdominal trauma over the past 6 years were reviewed. There were four times as many male as female patients. The peak age incidence was in the second and third decades. Road traffic accidents were the commonest causes of blunt injuries whereas stab wounds predominated penetrating injuries. The spleen and the small bowel were the most common viscera injured. Although accidental injury in our environment is a common cause of morbidity; fatalities are few in those with abdominal trauma