Unit 1 – Final Output: In a paper, trace the location of the stab wound.

What can be implied from

the location of the wound? Discuss its implication

(photo credits to the rightful owner)

Stab Wound of the Abdomen

A stab wound is a form of penetrating trauma, either self-inflicted or inflicted by others,

that can happen anywhere in the body by a variety of instruments (Hartung et al., n.d.). These
wounds can affect tissue, blood vessels, and organs in the body, depending on how deep they go.
As such, all aspects of the wound must be observed and taken into account to provide the
appropriate treatment. 

Nature of the Wound

           Understanding the nature of the wound will allow for the formulation of the index of
suspicion and possible implications. The above image displays the mechanism of injury to be
penetrating trauma from a stab wound. The instrument used to inflict the stab wound appears to
be a bolo knife with a single-edged, convex blade. The wound is located in the left upper
quadrant of the abdomen. This quadrant is home to organs such as the left kidney and spleen or
portions of organs like the stomach and colon (Libretexts, 2020). Depending on how much force
was used to penetrate the knife, it may have hit one of these organs. Although there is a
possibility of damage to several organs, it is not as likely with a stab wound as if it were a
gunshot wound (United States Marine Corps, n.d.).

Implications 
           Given the size of the knife, there is a good chance that it indeed hit one of these organs.
From this, it can be implied that the instrument was able to penetrate through the peritoneum,
which lines the inner wall of the front of the abdomen, as well as the retroperitoneal cavity and
possible blood vessels which would lead to bleeding. Judging by the location of the wound, we
can say that the knife penetrated through the transverse colon of the left upper quadrant. The
transverse colon runs along the abdomen from right to left, its lower border superior to the
umbilicus and upper border inferior to the bigger curve of the stomach. In general, the colon’s
main function is to remove water, salt, and some nutrients (Hoffman, 2009). A stab wound in the
transverse colon can lead to colon perforation which could then cause a serious infection. Colon
perforation could be a cut, tear, or puncture which leaves a hole in its wall. Its symptoms include
fever, severe abdominal pain, and diminished or bloody bowels (“Colon Perforation, 2017).
Because it is a site for bodily fluids and other waste, a hole would cause bacteria to spill from its
insides to the other parts of the abdomen. This could lead to infections such as peritoneal
infection, which could lead to inflammation, or even septicemia, also known as blood poisoning. 

Treatment
           For impaled objects in the body, it is generally advised not to move or remove them to
avoid blood loss and cause further trauma (United States Marine Corps, n.d.). Treatments for
perforations generally vary but in the case of this particular patient, surgical repair will be
needed. This is to ensure that the knife is removed, the puncture is repaired, and the leaked
materials from the transverse colon are cleaned. Overall, the treatment will rely on a careful
assessment of the wound and the patient’s symptoms as well as the knowledge of anatomical
parts and directions to determine the nature and implications of the injury.
 References

Colon Perforation. (2017). Winchester Hospital. Retrieved from

https://www.winchesterhospital.org/health-library/article?id=902781

Hartung et al. (n.d.). Stab wound (overview) | Radiology Reference Article | Radiopaedia.org.

Radiopaedia. Retrieved from https://radiopaedia.org/articles/stab-wound-overview-1#:

%7E:text=Stab%20wounds%20are%20a%20form,occur%20anywhere%20in%20the

%20body

Hoffman, M. (2009). Picture of the Colon. WebMD. Retrieved from

https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-colon#1

Libretexts. (2020). 1.4F: Abdominopelvic Regions. Medicine LibreTexts. Retrieved from

https://med.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Anatomy_and_Physiology/Book

%3A_Anatomy_and_Physiology_(Boundless)/1%3A_Introduction_to_Anatomy_and_Ph

ysiology/1.4%3A_Mapping_the_Body/1.4F%3A_Abdominopelvic_Regions#:

%7E:text=left%20upper%20quadrant%3A%20The%20left,parts%20of%20the%20small

%20intestine.

United States Marine Corps. (n.d.). Abdominal Injuries. Retrieved from

https://www.trngcmd.marines.mil/Portals/207/Docs/FMTBE/Student

%20Materials/FMST/410.pdf