Stab wounds in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe: a four year audit

Abstract

Outside South Africa the problem of stab wounds has not received much attention in the African medical literature. This problem has not been studied before in Zimbabwe. From a review of the literature, supported by the material in this paper, it is clear, that most stab wounds affect the chest and abdomen. Clinicians should therefore be aware of the various management options of such injuries. This study was carried out to determine the pattern of stab wounds in our practice and to analyze the results of our management of patients with such injuries. The relevant literature is reviewed and suggestions are made to bring our management of stab wounds in line with current management trends.