2021, Number 1
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Rev Clin Esc Med 2021; 11 (1)
Genital injuries following sexual assault
Castillo-Corrales M, Gómez-Chaves G, Flores Sandí G
Language: Spanish
References: 14
Page:
PDF size: 184.04 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Genital injuries associated with sexual assault are
classified according to the type and localization of the
injury, and according to the age and sex of the victim.
The clinical evaluation of these injuries represents a
problem in the medical and legal areas, since there are no
pathognomonic sings of sexual abuse, nor the absence of
physical findings invalidates the diagnosis. An extensive
review of indexed articles published between 2000 and
2017 was performed for the writing of this text. It has
been established that pediatric population and adult
women are the most susceptible to sexual assault; which
often result in genital, anal and extragenital injuries.
Genital injuries in pediatric patients are frequently
located in hymen and inner labia, while the most common
locations for adult women were posterior fourchette,
inner labia and hymen. Genital injuries in adult men
are rarely reported, and their incidence is unknown.
Among the most reported types of injuries were tears,
ecchymosis, abrasions, erythema and inflammation.
The examination and documentation of genital findings
during a physical exam can be supported with techniques
such as inspection, colposcopy and staining procedures;
and reported with the enforcement of injury severity
scales such as GISS.
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