The incidence of alcohol abuse and coagulopathy in penetrating abdominal trauma.

Preexisting coagulopathy or hepatic dysfunction is a potential problem in the alcoholic with penetrating abdominal trauma. This study reviews 36 patients with penetrating abdominal trauma to determine evidence of acute and/or chronic alcohol abuse, evidence of hepatic dysfunction, preexisting coagulopathy, pattern of blood use, and severity of injury. Sixty-four per cent of patients had detectable blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) on admission and 50% were legally intoxicated. Alcohol consumption histories were available for 24 patients, and 15 (63%) were chronic alcohol abusers. There was little evidence of hepatic dysfunction and minimal coagulopathy. There was a significant difference in the number of chronic alcohol abusers who received blood and in the amount used by any individual. There is nothing in this study to suggest this increased blood use would be lessened by including fresh frozen plasma, Vitamin K, or platelet packs in the initial resuscitation of the alcoholic patient with penetrating abdominal trauma.