1Assistant Professor, Departments of Forensic Medicine, Dayanand Medical College & Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana, Punjab-141001, (India)
2Assistant Professor, Departments of Forensic Medicine, Dayanand Medical College & Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana, Punjab-141001, (India)
3Post-graduate Junior Resident, Department of General Surgery, Dayanand Medical College & Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana, Punjab-141001, (India)
*Corresponding Author: Dr. Varun Modgil, Assistant Professor, Departments of Forensic Medicine, Dayanand Medical College & Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana, Punjab-141001, India, E-mail: varunmodgil27@gmail.com Contact: +917973123291
Online published on 27 May, 2025.
Drug related violence is on the rise in several regions of India. Physical proximity to the golden crescent further aggravates the problem of antisocial activity. Penetrating injury by a knife with retained weapon creates unique medico-legal and surgical problems and is often rare.
We report a case of a 37-year-old male, presenting with an abdominal stab wound with the weapon in situ. Internal injuries included corresponding cuts over gastrocolic omentum, transverse colon and posterior portion of stomach. Weapon was removed by laparoscopic approach.
In the emergency care setting, such injuries with retained weapon are rare. A proper surgical approach planned well in time is crucial and post-operative care is vital to limit morbidity or mortality.
The article describes a case of abdominal stab wound with weapon in-situ. Along with surgical management, medico-legal protocol is vital especially, the recovery, handling of the weapon and ultimate hand-over to the investigative agencies maintaining the chain of custody of evidence.
Drug Related Violence, Stab Wound, Chain of Custody, Weapon in-situ
