A REVIEW OF PATTERN OF PENETRATING TRAUMA IN A SURGICAL UNIT OF MAYO HOSPITAL, LAHORE

Trauma is a worldwide killer contributing upto 40% of deaths1. Thirty thousand deaths occur due to fire arm injuries in USA every year1. It includes both penetrating and blunt. According to statistics the commonest organ injured in blunt trauma abdomen is liver1. In penetrating abdominal trauma the most commonly injured organs are 1) small gut 65% 2) colon 41.6%, 3) liver 29.3%, 4) vascular structure 24.6%, 5) stomach 17.3% and kidney 17%2. Plain x-ray abdomen has been advised in all abdominal trauma and among the bed side test DPL (Diagnostic Peritoneal Lavage) has gained tremendous popularity3. FAST is another bed side test which is considered a very valid bed side investigation for trauma abdomen now-a-days3