TVTRAUMAVAULTCASE-BASED TRAUMA JUDGMENT
Teaching image withheldThe image will be revealed when it becomes clinically available in the case.
INITIAL TRAUMA-BAY EXTERNAL EXAMINATION image showing exposed bowel protruding through a left flank stab wound; the photograph cannot reliably establish bowel viability, contamination, or the full extent of intra-abdominal injury. teaching visual
INITIAL TRAUMA-BAY EXTERNAL EXAMINATION image showing exposed bowel protruding through a left flank stab wound; the photograph cannot reliably establish bowel viability, contamination, or the full extent of intra-abdominal injury. • TEACHING IMAGE
Trauma—Penetrating Abdominal InjurySharp-force stab wound to the left flank with visible bowel eviscerationFoundational

Flank Stab Wound With Bowel Evisceration

SCENARIO

A 29-year-old patient is brought directly to the trauma bay shortly after being stabbed in the left flank during an assault. The patient is awake, speaking clearly, and protecting the airway. Initial vital signs are heart rate 108/min, blood pressure 118/74 mmHg, respiratory rate 20/min, and oxygen saturation 98% on room air. During the initial external examination, an approximately 4-cm left flank wound is identified with bowel protruding through the opening; the accompanying image was obtained at this examination and is available now. No active external arterial bleeding is seen. The abdomen is tender near the wound, but there is no diffuse rigidity documented on the initial examination.

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