Clinical presentation and management
outcome of abdominal stab wounds in a
low-resource setting: experience of a central
hospital in Sudan

Clinical presentation and management
outcome of abdominal stab wounds in a
low-resource setting: experience of a central
hospital in Sudan

Abdominal stab wounds, Abdominal trauma, Exploratory laparotomy, Bowel injury, Solid organ injury

Abstract
Background Abdominal stab injuries are a major public health concern worldwide, especially in African countries.
This study aimed to examine the presentation patterns and management outcomes of abdominal stab wounds.
Methods This descriptive, prospective, cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted at Wad Medani
Teaching Hospital, including all patients with abdominal stab wounds from January 2022 to December 2022. Patient
characteristics and clinical presentations were documented. Factors influencing management outcomes were
analyzed and correlated.
Result The total number of patients admitted to the hospital with abdominal stab wounds is 47. The most common
age group is between 20 and 29 years (38.3%), with the majority being male (97.9%). They are mainly from Gezira
State (61.7%) and live in rural areas (38.3%). The most common occupation among them is labor, making up 51.1%.
Patients were admitted within the first two hours in 57.5% of cases. The organs most often involved in this study
include the small bowel, large bowel, and mesentery, affecting 27.7%, 23.4%, and 17.0% of patients, respectively.
Additionally, 25.4% of patients sustained associated injuries. Of the 40 patients treated, 30 (60.8%) underwent a
laparotomy. From a total of 30 laparotomies, 14 patients (46.6%) underwent resection and anastomosis, while
7 patients (23.3%) had their small bowel injuries repaired. Most patients recovered, while four (8.5%) developed
complications.
Conclusion In our setting, abdominal stab wounds predominantly affect young males in their productive years. The
small intestine is the most frequently injured organ, and most patients require an exploratory laparotomy as part of
their treatment.
Keywords Abdominal stab wounds, Abdominal trauma, Exploratory laparotomy, Bowel injury, Solid organ injury

Mohamed Soud Mohamed Saadeldien1

, Mohamed Daffalla Awadalla Gismalla1,2*, Adam Mohamed Ibrahim Adam1
,

Aimen Elsheikh Khalil Abuelnour2

and Mustafa Abdullah Alhamed1

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-01022-y

2025

Peri Irawan

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