Loinnir Asks:

There’s a scene in my story where one of the main characters, a short and slightly underweight 13 year old, is stabbed in the abdomen (I was thinking the epigastric region) with a 4-5 inch blade which is almost immediately ripped out by the perpetrator. Around 25-30 minutes pass before she arrives at the hospital (she is transported by car, not an ambulance as the witnesses don’t have any way to call one).

So, I was wondering how likely she is to survive, the type of treatment and expected length of recovery, and what would the protocol be for the witnesses (her five friends, all minors)?

Jordyn Says:

Thanks for sending me your question.

I think the biggest risk in an underweight (thin child) being stabbed with a 4-5 inch blade (which is fairly long) in the epigastric region is hitting the descending aorta (or one of the large veins). Particularly if the blade is pulled out, there would be little to stem the bleeding. Of course, it would depend on the angle and depth of the blade but this would be one of the more concerning injuries. If the blade is angled up, you could also hit the diaphragm, a lung, and possibly the heart. Angle the blade to the side and you have the spleen on the left and the liver on the right.

Biggest risk of death for this victim would be hemorrhage. Considering she is being transported by car versus ambulance, she would die in just a few minutes if her descending aorta or heart were hit. A lung injury could be survivable if care is given within thirty minutes depending on how much of the lung is deflated.

If you want her to live, I would also avoid hitting the liver or spleen on either side as she would bleed to death before getting to the hospital.

Getting stabbed in this area could also injure the small intestine. This is probably the more survivable injury. It would require surgical repair and a short hospital stay if the surgery went well and there was no other damage. They would have to ensure her bowels were working, she was passing gas, and could tolerate food and fluids before discharging home.

Medical treatment in the ER for a stab wound would be a set of vital signs, continuous monitoring of ECG, oxygen levels, and breathing. IV placement (likely two—one in each arm in the antecubital space), normal saline fluid boluses, labs (particularly those that measure blood levels and organ function of the abdomen) and blood if needed. They’ll check her urine for blood and if she’s menstruating she will get a pregnancy test. She would likely get x-rays of her chest and abdomen as well as a CT scan of her abdomen checking for injuries. Antibiotics would likely be warranted if her intestine had been perforated. Then to the OR to repair any injuries.

I’m not sure what you’re asking as far as the five minor witnesses. I checked with my brother who works in law enforcement and he said there are no legal issues in interviewing a juvenile witness. If your question is concerning medical care, I don’t see a reason for these kids to be evaluated if they are uninjured. At the scene, they would likely be held until parents arrived to pick them up.

Best of luck with this novel.