Preoperative leukocytosis as a predictor of intrabdominal injury in penetrating abdominal trauma

Background: in Mexico, the management of abdominal penetrating trauma doesn't follows algorithms of Trauma Center level I, because our limitations and laparotomies are inevitable in this context. Is possible use some grade of leukocytosis suspect in-trabdominal lesion? Methods: study retrospective, descriptive and analytic that inclu-ded patients with abdominal penetrating trauma that suffered exploratory laparotomy. We excluded patients' whit severe damage to soft tissues in extremities, thoracic affection, fractures, or da-mage in nervous system. We divided 2 groups: group I (therapeutic laparotomy) and group II (non-therapeutic laparotomy). Dependent variables were; age, gender, type of injury, number of lesions, peripheral lesions, time between injury and take blood sample to laboratory, leukocytosis mean, percentage of neutrophils, leukocytosis >= 12,500 /mm(3), and hemoperitoneum. We compared variables between two groups and use Pearson chi(2) test and T-Student, and percentages as summary of measures. Results: we included 231 patients, group I with 159 patients and group II with 72 patients. Leukocytosis global was 13.2 mil/mm(3) and neutrophil range of 70.3%. 26% of patients haven't leukocytosis at arrival and evaluation, however they were laparotomized because present peritoneal irritation. Leukocytosis >= 12.5 mil/mm(3) was statistical significant in patients with intrabdominal lesions (74.2% vs 27.7%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: leukocytosis >= 12.5 mil/mm(3) could be an early serum marker about intrabdominal lesions in abdominal penetrating trauma.