Breaking point? An analysis of fatal stab wounds to the torso in Ireland between 2011 and 2018, examining the extent of rib fractures.

This study examines the pattern of rib injuries occurring in cases of fatal torso stab wounds in Ireland between 2011 and 2018. It has been suggested by previous studies that rib fractures are not commonly sustained in stab wounds to the torso. We wanted to ascertain whether this was the case, as our data suggested that rib fractures were frequent, and where a rib is fractured there is a higher chance of organ injury and death, making this an important area of study. One hundred and forty seven cases of fatal stab wounds from an eight-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Fatal stab wounds to other body areas, were excluded; leaving a total of 104 cases with stab wounds to the torso. We found that 69.2% of cases had rib injuries, a figure significantly higher than previously reported. Our data suggests that stab wounds to the torso often fracture ribs, putting the underlying organs at increased risk of injury and perhaps contributing to fatality. The amount of force needed to cause a rib fracture can be difficult to quantify and indeed from the high percentage of rib fractures sustained in our data it appears that the ribs may be fractured regardless of the amount of force used; this is borne out by the finding that self-inflicted injuries also caused rib fractures. Our study shows that other factors, such as anatomical positioning and wound depth may have a greater bearing than force in terms of whether a rib fracture is sustained.

Clinical outcomes and epidemiology of intraocular foreign body injuries in Cork University Hospital, Ireland: an 11-year review.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To describe the epidemiology, outcomes, and prognostic factors of intraocular foreign body (IOFB) injuries at a tertiary ophthalmic referral centre in Cork University Hospital, Ireland. METHODS: A retrospective review of 23 eyes with IOFB that presented to Cork University Hospital (CUH) from January 2009 to December 2019 was performed. The mechanism and characteristics of IOFB injury were all noted. This data was collated and analysed to ascertain the epidemiology of IOFB injury in CUH and to describe the prognostic factors affecting visual outcome following IOFB injury. RESULTS: There was a 100% male prevalence. The mean age was 37.4 years. The majority of IOFBs were metal in nature and were acquired by hammering, often while working and frequently in the absence of personal protective equipment (PPE). The route of entry for the IOFB was via the cornea in 70% of cases. Fifty-two percent of cases were clinically detectable and 43% of cases were only identifiable on CT (computed tomography) imaging. Eighty-seven percent of cases underwent surgery on the same day as presentation. There was no incidence (0%) of endophthalmitis. Seventeen percent of cases developed post-operative retinal detachment (RD). The mean pre-operative VA was 0.79 LogMAR (6/38 Snellen equivalent-SE) compared to a mean VA of 0.58 LogMAR (6/24 SE) following surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides important epidemiological data for IOFB injuries in Ireland. It also adds some useful information to the literature in relation to prognostic factors and lens status post IOFB injury.