Publication: Exploratory Laparotomy for Severe Dowry-related Spousal Violence Injuries in a Young Woman
Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nepal Health Research Council
Abstract
This case report highlights the severity of dowry-related intimate partner violence in Terai, Nepal. A 24-year-old married female presented with multiple stab injuries to the abdomen and a cut-throat injury inflicted by her husband under the influence of alcohol due to dissatisfaction with dowry demands. Successful management involved exploratory laparotomy, anterior abdominal wall repair, cholecystectomy, and neck injury repair. However, on the third postoperative day, due to persistent pain and feeding difficulties, the patient was referred to a tertiary care center, where a re-exploratory laparotomy revealed missed diaphragmatic injury and bowel herniation requiring further repair. This case underscores the need for high clinical suspicion and early specialist referral in complex trauma scenarios. It also highlights the role of cultural and societal factors in intimate partner violence and the need for a multidimensional approach involving healthcare, legal, and social services.
Keywords: Abdominal trauma; dowry; intimate partner violence; Nepal; stab injury
Description
Arbin Dev Sapkota
Department of Critical Care Medicine, Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Kathmandu, Nepal
Abhishek Bhattarai
Department of Surgery, Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Kathmandu, Nepal
Sudesha Rimal
Lumbini Medical College, Palpa, Nepal
Roshan Shrestha
Lumbini Medical College, Palpa, Nepal
Sadikshya Regmi
Department of Critical Care Medicine, Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Kathmandu, Nepal
Alok Atreya
Departmen of Forensic Medicine, Lumbini Medical College, Palpa, Nepal