Degloving injuries of the abdominal wall

To stress the local, regional and global impact of degloving injuries of abdominal wall based on which the surgeon can design the management protocol.

A retrospective series of seven cases who met with high velocity run-over accidents between the year 2002 to 2007. All patients were clinically examined and the findings confirmed radiologically, which guided the management.

Out of the seven patients treated, six survived. All patients had open degloving injury of abdominal wall and in different areas of the lower limbs, while three had an additional closed degloving in the back, thighs and gluteal regions. All of them had pelvic fractures of various types. Three patients had peritoneal injury, of whom one had additional diaphragmatic injury. None of them had hollow viscus perforation or injury to solid viscera despite the varied severity of injuries to the abdominal wall, pelvic bone and diaphragm.

Degloving injuries of the abdominal wall are rarely encountered in our practice. The associated morbidity and mortality are very high. However, the prognosis can be improved by successful revival and rehabilitation of these patients, which is possible by early resuscitation, recognition of all bony and soft tissue injuries, early debridement and coverage.