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