How alcohol, drugs, and pain medicines affect evaluation after a stab or gunshot to the belly

Influence of Alcohol, Psychoactive Drugs, and Analgesic Administration on the Evaluation Process in Patients With Penetrating Abdominal Trauma

Observational Fundacion Clinica Valle del Lili · NCT07330349

This study will see if alcohol, psychoactive drugs, or pain medicines change how doctors evaluate and decide on surgery for people with penetrating abdominal injuries.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment363 (estimated)
Ages15 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorFundacion Clinica Valle del Lili Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Cali, Valle del Cauca Department and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07330349 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a prospective observational cohort enrolling patients aged 14 and older with penetrating abdominal trauma who are hemodynamically stable at two level I trauma centers in Cali, Colombia. Participants receive routine care with serial abdominal physical examinations and selective use of FAST or CT as indicated, while the team records whether alcohol, psychoactive substances, or analgesics were present before or during initial evaluation. The main analyses compare time from admission to surgical decision, use of diagnostic imaging, and rates of non-therapeutic laparotomy between exposed and unexposed patients. No additional diagnostic or therapeutic interventions are performed for study purposes; exposures are identified from clinical assessment and chart review using predefined definitions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients aged 14 or older who present with penetrating abdominal trauma and are hemodynamically stable at one of the participating centers.

Not a fit: Patients who are hemodynamically unstable, transferred after an initial operation, declared dead on arrival, or who lack sufficient clinical data are unlikely to benefit from this study's findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help clinicians know when serial physical exams are reliable and reduce unnecessary imaging, delays to surgery, or non-therapeutic operations.

How similar studies have performed: Existing evidence is limited and mixed, with few prospective data, so this observational approach addresses a relatively under-studied question in trauma care.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients presenting to the emergency department with penetrating abdominal trauma.
* Age 14 years or older.
* Patients evaluated and managed according to standard trauma care protocols, including immediate operative management or clinical observation with serial physical examination, as clinically indicated.
* Patients admitted to the participating trauma centers during the study period.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients transferred from another institution after initial surgical intervention.
* Patients declared dead on arrival.
* Patients with incomplete or missing clinical data precluding assessment of outcomes of interest.

Where this trial is running

Cali, Valle del Cauca Department and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Abdominal InjuriesAlcohol IntoxicationSubstance-related DisordersPenetrating Abdominal TraumaTrauma decision makingTime to surgeryPenetrating abdominal traumaAlcohol use
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.