Pattern of abdominal injuries in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano

This study was carried out to look at the pattern of abdominal trauma in Kano, and to compare our findings with those of other centres in Nigeria, and elsewhere. This was a retrospective analysis of all cases of abdominal trauma seen and operated upon from January 1997 to December 2001, in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. Sixty-seven patients were managed during the study period. They were all males, with a peak age range of 20 - 29 years. Penetrating abdominal injury occurred in 36 patients (53.7%), with 15 of them (44.4%) arising from missile injuries. Thirty-one patients (46.3%) sustained blunt abdominal trauma, mainly from road traffic accidents in 80.6% of cases. The spleen was the most commonly injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma occurring in 18 patients (58.1%), while in penetrating injury, it was the small bowel in 19 patients (55.5%). The mortality rate in this study was 8.9%. Abdominal injuries are quite common in Nigeria and remain a major source of morbidity and mortality. Preventive strategies should be focused on reduction of road traffic accidents, violent crimes and social conflicts.