Benefits of CT tractography in evaluation of anterior abdominal stab wounds

Abstract Introduction The study aimed to identify the presence of peritoneal penetration in management of anterior abdominal stab wound by using computed tomography (CT) tractography. Material and methods Hemodynamically stabile, CT tractography-performed patients who were admitted to our emergency clinic with anterior abdominal stab wounds between the years 2012 and 2014 were included in this study, and all images were evaluated in terms of peritoneal penetration and possible intra-abdominal injury. Results In the study CT tractography identified necessity of laparotomy accurately in 90% of the patients, and none of the patients without peritoneal penetration needed surgical treatment in their follow-up. Conclusion The procedure may be used for some selected cases of hemodynamically stable patient with anterior abdominal stab wounds to abstain from local wound exploration.