Penetrating Abdominal Trauma Index in Prediction of Postoperative Morbidity and Mortality

Abstract

Abstract Background: Penetrating abdominal trauma is a major health problem worldwide, and in Iraq, it constitutes a main job in the trauma field for general surgeons working across the country. Factors affecting the postoperative complication are well established. Moore found in 1981 that penetrating abdominal trauma score is considered an independent factor for postoperative mortality. Objective: The study aimed to evaluate patient outcomes in Al-Yarmuk Teaching Hospital regarding postoperative morbidity and mortality using the penetrating abdominal trauma index (PATI) score. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done for 1 year from April 2022 to April 2023 at Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital; 96 patients were admitted to the theater for explorative laparotomy after having the appropriate initial management at the emergency department were included in the study; and intraoperative findings were obtained and tabulated. Basic statistical analysis to compare means and Chi-square test for P value of complicated, noncomplicated, and mortality cases were used. Results: Patients who died scored a PATI mean of 27.16, while those who were complicated in general were 23.52, and the uncomplicated cases had a mean PATI of 10.48. Conclusion: Increasing the PATI score will increase the postoperative complications that can lead to death. This makes the PATI score >25 a risk factor for morbidity and mortality in penetrating abdominal trauma.