Is conservative management of stab wounds better than wound closure?
Date First Published:
March 30, 2005
Last Updated:
March 30, 2005
Report by:
S Narang, SpR in Emergency Medicine (Manchester Royal Infirmary)
Three-Part Question:
In [adults with uncomplicated stab wounds to soft tissue only] is [conservative management of the wound better than wound closure] in [preventing wound infection]?
Clinical Scenario:
A 30 year old male presents to the Emergency Department with multiple stab wounds to soft tissues of chest/ abdomen and limbs. You wonder whether cleaning and allowing to heal by secondary intention is better than wound closure to prevent wound infection.
Search Strategy:
MEDLINE 1966 to 03/05, EMBASE 1980 to March 2005, and CINAHL 1982 to March 2005 using OVID interface.
Search Details:
Search 1 [{exp wounds, stabs/ OR knife adj wound.mp. AND exp wound healing/ OR exp suturing/ OR suturing.mp. OR exp wound infection/}] Limit to English Language
Search 2 [{exp wounds penetrating/ AND primary intention.mp.OR secondary intention.mp.}]
COCHRANE
1 Stabbing[all fields]
2 Knife and wound[all fields]
3 Wounds and injuries[Mesh]
#1 OR #2 AND #3
General Internet Search Google/Journals
Search 2 [{exp wounds penetrating/ AND primary intention.mp.OR secondary intention.mp.}]
COCHRANE
1 Stabbing[all fields]
2 Knife and wound[all fields]
3 Wounds and injuries[Mesh]
#1 OR #2 AND #3
General Internet Search Google/Journals
Outcome:
No papers were found which addressed this three part question.
Author Commentary:
There are no comparative or randomised trials in this area.
Bottom Line:
Local guidelines should be followed for the management of stab wounds.
Research in this area is warranted.
Research in this area is warranted.