Epidemiology of Penetrating Abdominal Trauma at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu

Penetrating abdominal trauma, predominantly from stab and gunshot wounds, represents a growing surgical emergency in urban and peri-urban Nigerian settings. This study describes the epidemiology, injury patterns, surgical findings, and outcomes of penetrating abdominal trauma at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State, South West Nigeria, from 2020 to 2024. A retrospective review of 145 case records was undertaken. Variables analyzed included mechanism of injury, affected viscera, type of operative intervention, intraoperative blood loss, and in-hospital outcomes. Descriptive statistics were applied, with chi-square used for categorical comparisons. Young males between 18 and 35 years accounted for 83% of cases, with stab wounds being twice as common as gunshot wounds. Small bowel injury was the most frequently encountered intraabdominal finding, followed by colonic injury and liver laceration. Exploratory laparotomy was performed in 92% of cases, with primary repair being the dominant procedure. Postoperative mortality was 8.3%, primarily in patients with gunshot injuries and multiple organ damage. The study recommends community violence prevention programs, enhanced trauma bay facilities at OOUTH, and structured trauma surgery training for residents in the South West zone. Keywords: penetrating trauma, abdominal injury, stab wound, Sagamu, laparotomy