ABSTRACT
A 29-year-old female presented to the emergency room approximately 4 h after sustaining a single stab wound to the anterior abdomen. The patient initially stayed home but decided to seek medical help when her abdohal pain worsened. She was awake and alert on arrival with a respiratory rate of 18, a blood pressure of 115/80, and a heart rate of 110 bpm. On physical exam, she was noted to have a single stab wound to the anterior abdomen, 6 cm to the left of the umbilicus with tenderness localized to the left abdomen. Intravenous access was obtained, and the patient was administered tetanus toxoid intramusculary (IM) and given 2 g of cefoxitin intravenously. Abdominal wound exploration was performed and confirmed violation of the anterior abdominal fascia. The patient was therefore taken directly to the operating room.
