[Single stab wounds causing multiple trauma]

The authors presented their two-year experience regarding diagnosis and treatment of 6 patients with single stab wounds causing polytrauma. In 4 cases the thoracoabdominal penetrating wounds were diagnosed. Emergency x-ray of the chest and ultrasonographic examination of abdomen were diagnostic in 1 case (17%). Five patients (83%) were operated in first three hours after trauma with good results. In 1 case (17%) delayed operation was complicated by left pyothorax. The results of this study indicated that patients with stab wounds causing polytrauma should be operated urgently in order to avoid complications and improve prognosis.