Penetrating abdominal injuries in adults seen at two teaching hospitals in ghana.

Background: The incidence of penetrating abdominal injuries (PAI) has increased in the West African sub-region.

Objective: To determine the pattern and management outcome of penetrating abdominal injuries (PAI) in the two main teaching hospitals in Ghana.

Study Design: A prospective and retrospective descriptive study.

Current spectrum of intestinal obstruction.

In a 12-month prospective study incorporating four neighbouring district general hospitals, 228 patients required a total of 236 admissions with intestinal obstruction. The aetiological factors included adhesions 75 (32 per cent), malignant disease 61 (26 per cent), strangulated hernias 59 (25 per cent), volvulus 10 (4 per cent), acquired megacolon 6 (3 per cent), pseudo-obstruction 4 (2 per cent), faecal impaction 6 (3 per cent) and miscellaneous 15 (6 per cent). The peak incidence for obstruction due to adhesions, malignant disease and strangulated hernias each occurred in the eighth decade.