Penetrating Trunk Trauma in Germany in the Context of Trauma Room Management: A 3-Year Case Series

1.1. Introduction Penetrating injuries to the trunk in polytrauma are associated with high mortality and require a timely, differentiated treatment strategy. In contrast to stab wounds, gunshot wounds show higher mortality in the literature. The aim of this study is to analyse this patient cohort with regard to mortality and functional outcome. 1.2. Methods This retrospective study included patients treated between 2021 and 2023 in the surgical trauma bay at a Level-1-trauma centre in Hamburg, Germany (Asklepios Klinik St. Georg) for penetrating truncal stab or gunshot injuries sustained as part of polytrauma. Mortality was defined as survival until hospital discharge. Functional outcome was assessed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). 1.3. Results A total of 53 patients were included. Of these, 45 patients (84.9%) sustained thoracic or abdominal stab wounds and 7 (13.2%) sustained gunshot wounds. Overall, 49 patients (92.5%) survived. Prehospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) had been performed in 5 patients (9.4% of cases). During prehospital management, 10 patients (18.9%) had already received a chest tube.