Management of rectal injuries

https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9610(71)90322-9Get rights and content

Abstract

We have reviewed the management of twentynine casualties with rectal injuries terated in Vietnam. A high incidence of virulent complications and a 22.2 per cent mortality occurred in eighteen casualties treated by conventional means with a divided sigmoid colostomy, rectal repair when feasible, and presacral drainage. The complications and deaths were invariably related to pelvic sepsis. Distal washout to prevent continued contamination from fecal material remaining in the defunctionalized rectosigmoid was employed in ten casualties in addition to the conventional measures. This resulted in a striking reduction in complications and no mortality. We also stress the importance of prompt diagnosis, direct control of hemorrhage, proper management of associated injuries, and adequate debridement.

References (12)

  • RS Vannix et al.

    Surgical management of colon trauma in civilian practice

    Amer J Surg

    (1963)
  • CN Morgan

    Wounds of the rectum

    Surg Gynec Obstet

    (1945)
  • WH Ogilvie

    Abdominal wounds in the western desert

    Surg Gynec Obstet

    (1944)
  • ER Taylor et al.

    The early treatment and results thereof, of injuries of the colon and rectum

    Int Abstr Surg

    (1948)
  • HJ Wanebo et al.

    Rectal injuries

    J Trauma

    (1969)
  • WF Bowers

    Surgical treatment in abdominal trauma: a comparison of results in war and peace

    Milit Med

    (1956)
There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (0)

Presented at the Forty-Second Annual Meeting of the Pacific Coast Surgical Association, Mexico City, Mexico, February 14–18, 1971.

Present address: Department of Surgery, William Beaumont General Hospital, El Paso, Texas 79920.

1

From the Office of the Surgical Consultant, US Army, Vietnam, and the 24th Evacuation Hospital, Republic of Vietnam.

Present address: Department of Surgery, Letterman General Hospital, Presidio of San Francisco, California 94129.

View full text