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Multiple Thoracoabdominal Impalement Injuries

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 March 2012

Omobolaji O. Ayandipo*
Affiliation:
Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
David Irabor
Affiliation:
Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
Oludolapo Afuwape
Affiliation:
Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
Peter Adeoye
Affiliation:
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
Mudasir Salami
Affiliation:
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
*
Correspondence: O. O. Ayandipo, MD Department of Surgery University College HospitalPMB 5116 Ibadan, Nigeria E-mail: yokebukola@yahoo.com

Abstract

A 20-year-old male was impaled through the chest, abdomen, and right upper thigh by three 1.5 cm (0.59 in) diameter rods, each 2 m (6.56 ft) in length. The first rod entered below his right nipple, the second through the right hypochondrium, and the third through the right upper thigh. He was transported to the hospital with the rods in situ. This paper provides insight as to how these unusual injuries were managed in a limited-resource environment. Even in a developing country, the challenges posed by multiple impalement injuries can be managed successfully by rapid prehospital transfer, along with an adequate and coordinated hospital team effort.

Type
Case Report
Copyright
Copyright Ayandipo © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2012

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