IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL EVALUATION AND PHYSICAL REPORT (IJMEPR )

E-ISSN 2579-0498
P-ISSN 2695-2181
VOL. 9 NO. 2 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijmepr.v9.no2.2025.pg53.62

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Retained Broken Knife Following Chest Wall Stab Injury: A Case Report and Literature Review

Rex Friday Ogoronte Alderton Ijah, Emmanuel Ossai Ocheli, Victor Wagozie, Michael E Ogba

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Abstract

Background: Penetrating injuries following assault has been reported from several parts of the globe, and rising incidence in knife crime per year has been described in the United Kingdom accounting for 12% of major trauma calls. The study reported the unusual presentation of extruding retained broken knife following a knife stab injury. Methods: A descriptive study (case report) was carried out using information from the patient’s case notes. Case Presentation: A 21-year-old male had a knife stab injury at the left lower back 5 weeks earlier following a fight with his “friend”, and presented with extruding metal object from the left side of the chest wall. The systems examination essentially revealed the presence of healed scar (entry wound) located at the posterior left lower thoracic region; a foreign object (broken knife) protruding from the left lower lateral side of the chest wall (exit wound); there was scanty yellowish discharge at the exit site associated tenderness, induration extending from entry to exit sites. Examination of the chest and abdomen revealed normal findings. The chest radiograph showed presence of metallic object in the soft tissue beneath the skin. Diagnosis made was foreign body extrusion secondary to knife stab injury, and patient subsequently had wound exploration and foreign body removal. Conclusion: There was failure of conflict resolution among two friends, and a missed diagnosis of retained foreign body in the subcutaneous tissue of this patient. Introduction of conflict resolution modules in our schools and trauma update courses among our young practicing physicians may improve the quality of care of patients with chest trauma.

keywords:

Case report, Chest wall, Extrusion, Retained broken knife, Stab injury, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

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