Selective conservative management of penetrating abdominal wounds: a prospective study.

This is a prospective study comprising 156 cases of abdominal stab wounds. The cases were assessed exclusively on clinical grounds: 37.18 per cent of them were treated conservatively without any mortality and minimal complications. Shock, blood on abdominal paracentesis, omentum protruding through the wound, and radiologically free air under the diaphragm, were not absolute indications for surgery. Alcohol consumption did not interfere with the clinical assessment. Of all 130 cases with proved peritoneal penetration, 28.46 per cent had no significant visceral injury. The incidence of negative laparotomies was 7.0 per cent.