Late abdominal complications in war wounded

Complications possibly related to battle injuries are not necessarily discovered immediately postwounding, but may surface many months or years later. Sometimes, the relationship is evident, but often it is difficult to prove the connection. Between 1975 to 1989, we treated 260 veteran wounded from Israel's wars (1948 to 1982). Of these, 122 patients suffered from abdominal complaints, and this study relates only to this group. Eighty percent of them had undergone surgery caused by abdominal trauma at the time of the original injury, and the remaining 20% were injured in areas other than the abdomen. Their complaints manifested several weeks to 35 years postinjury. Diagnosis was delayed for 1 to 8 years in 70% of the patients. Acute or chronic pain, dyspepsia, intolerance to certain foods, early satiety, nausea, vomiting, distension, disturbances in bowel movements, and discharge from unhealed wounds were the most frequently encountered complaints. After evaluation and diagnostic work-up, it was possible to establish diagnosis and afford appropriate treatment in 97 (77%) of the patients. Peptic ulcers were found in 31 patients; 10 required surgery for ulcer-related complications. Acute and repeated attacks of intestinal obstruction occurred in 19 patients; 14 required surgery. The cause of obstruction was adhesions in nine, and strictures, incarcerated hernias, and abscess formation in the rest. Ventral hernias at surgical, ostomy, and drain sites were found and repaired in 49 patients. Abdominal wall sinuses originating from foreign bodies or osteomyelitis were found in 13 patients, and low output enterocutaneous fistulas were found in three patients. Chronic abdominal abscesses were found in 15 patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)