Predictors of outcome in penetrating gastric injuries

Introduction: Both solid and hollow organs are open to injury in penetrating abdominal trauma. Morbidity and mortality related to gastric injury in penetrating abdominal trauma are uncommon. Isolated gastric injuries occur less frequently.

Aim: To examine the morbidity associated with penetrating gastric injuries.

Material and methods: Data for 45 patients collected between 2000 and 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were grouped as those with isolated gastric injuries and those with concomitant organ injuries, and then grouped according to the presence of complications. Logistic regression was used to determine the independent predictors of morbidity following gastric injury.

Results: The sample comprised 40 males (88.9%) and 5 females (11.1%), with a mean age of 28.56 ±11.66 (range 15–75) years. The mechanism of injury was stab wounds in 26 patients and gunshot wounds in the remainder. Mortality was 8.9% (4/45 pa­tients). The forward stepwise binary logistic regression analysis of the results revealed three risk variables: 2 patient measures (injury severity score and number of injured intra-abdominal organs) and the mechanism of injury. The odds ratios and confidence intervals for the three variables were 3.74 (2.40–5.83), 3.41 (1.60–7.28), and 3.00 (1.96–4.59), respectively.

Conclusions: We identified the risk factors for morbidity in penetrating gastric injuries using a binary logistic model.