Penetrating abdominal injuries in children and adolescents.

A total of 107 children and adolescents underwent laparotomies for penetrating trauma. There were 64 patients with stab wounds and 43 with gunshot wounds. Only 8 per cent of the patients were under 12 years of age. Three patients died--two from gunshot wounds of major vessels and one from a gunshot wound of the colon. Most of the injuries were related to crimes of violence or were self-inflicted. Multiple organ injuries and postoperative complications were significantly more common among patients with gunshot wounds than in those with stab wounds. Associated extra-abdominal injuries appeared to be more common among patients with gunshot wounds but the difference was not statistically significant. Unnecessary laparotomies were twice as frequent in victims of stab wounds.