Abstract

Background: Trauma is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in childhood. Penetrating thoracic and abdominal injuries in children are rare. This study aimed to evaluate overall penetrating thoracic and abdominal trauma in childhood.

Materials and Method: In this study, the hospital records of 38 cases (age ≤16) who were treated with the diagnosis of penetrating thoracic and abdominal traumas between February 2006 and May 2012 were reviewed retrospectively.

Results: Among 38 (34 boys, 4 girls) cases aged 1 to 16 (10.18±3.91) with penetrating thoracic and abdominal injuries were treated in our clinic. The underlying cause of. Ten cases had gunshot injuries, while 28 cases stab injuries. Fifteen cases of penetrating trauma were localized in the thoracic, and 23 cases in the abdominal regions. Twenty cases were treated surgically (6 thoracic, and 14 abdominal wounds). The remaining 18 cases were treated conservatively.

Conclusions: For the prevention of penetrating injuries education regarding the dangers and prevention of this type of trauma is critically important. In this context, firearms, penetrating and perforating objects should be out of the reach of the children.