This study evaluated anastomotic outcomes in exploratory laparotomies for patients with conflict-related abdominal trauma in Sana'a City, Yemen, focusing on incidence rates, associated risk factors, and the impact on morbidity and mortality.
The cohort consisted entirely of young males, with a median age of 24 years, typical for military trauma patients. The exclusive presence of penetrating injuries, predominantly gunshot wounds, reflects the combat setting, contrasting with civilian trauma where blunt injuries are more common.11 The high Injury Severity Scores (ISS) and frequent extra-abdominal injuries underscore the polytrauma nature of these cases, complicating management and influencing outcomes. These findings align with previous studies on modern combat trauma.12
Nearly half of the patients were hemodynamically unstable at presentation, highlighting the severity of these injuries. Despite this, the relatively modest transfusion requirements suggest that damage control resuscitation may mitigate the need for extensive preoperative transfusions. This approach, emphasizing early surgical control of bleeding and judicious use of blood products, aligns with current military trauma guidelines.11
Intraoperative care reflected the urgent and complex nature of combat injuries. The prolonged median time from presentation to operation underscores the logistical challenges in resource-constrained environments. The near-universal use of emergency laparotomy and high rates of intraoperative transfusion underscore the critical condition of these patients, necessitating immediate intervention and aggressive resuscitation. These practices are consistent with damage control surgery principles, prioritizing rapid control of bleeding and contamination.8
The predominance of small bowel injuries reflects their vulnerability to penetrating trauma. Associated intraabdominal injuries, such as bladder and liver damage, highlight the complexity of these cases and the need for thorough abdominal exploration. Intraoperative complications occurred in 13% of cases, emphasizing the challenges of performing complex surgeries in unstable patients.13 Variation in surgeon experience underscores the importance of ongoing training and mentorship in military trauma care.
The anastomotic failure rate of 9.8% falls within reported ranges in the literature, highlighting the variability in outcomes based on injury type, surgical technique, and postoperative care. This rate aligns with previous studies, 8,14,15 such as Walker et al. (2022), which reported a 15% failure rate in similar populations.5
Patients with anastomotic failure experienced significantly higher rates of septicemia and prolonged hospital stays, reflecting the severe morbidity associated with this complication.16 These findings underscore the need for vigilant monitoring and aggressive management. The significantly higher incidence of septicemia emphasizes the critical need for timely intervention.17 Prolonged hospitalization and increased resource utilization in these patients reflect the substantial burden of anastomotic failure on both patients and the healthcare system.18
Management of anastomotic failure varied widely, including the use of stomas and conservative management in select cases. The frequent use of diversion procedures underscores the need for definitive management in unstable patients, while successful conservative management in some cases highlights the potential for nonoperative strategies.13,19
Significant risk factors for anastomotic failure included preoperative blood transfusion, emergency laparotomy, and specific injury locations such as the large bowel and stomach. These findings suggest that transfusion requirements may indicate overall instability and increased complication risk.5,15 The association between emergency laparotomy and anastomotic failure reflects the urgent nature of military trauma, consistent with findings from other studies on combat casualty care.20,21
This study has several important implications for clinical practice, training, and policy development in the management of military trauma patients. It highlights the need for enhanced preoperative assessment and careful surgical planning to reduce anastomotic failure rates. By identifying key risk factors, the findings can guide surgical decision-making and improve patient outcomes. Additionally, the emphasis on mentorship and continuous training for military surgeons underscores the importance of maintaining proficiency in managing complex abdominal trauma cases. The results may also inform protocols for damage control surgery and resuscitation in combat settings, emphasizing rapid intervention and resource management.
However, the study has limitations, including its single-center design, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other settings or populations. The relatively small sample size, particularly of cases with anastomotic failure, may reduce the statistical power to detect significant differences. While the prospective nature of the study enhances data accuracy, the lack of long-term follow-up prevents assessment of the lasting impact of anastomotic failure on recovery and quality of life. Future research should address these limitations by including larger, multicenter cohorts and incorporating long-term follow-up to validate findings and enhance understanding of anastomotic failure in military trauma contexts.