MANAGEMENT OF COLONIC AND RECTAL INJURIES

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 120  (11) , 1387-+
Abstract
In managing a colonic or rectal injury the surgeon must decide whether it is acceptable to have feces passing over a suture line or anastomosis. If it is, resection and anastomosis or simple oversewing of the bowel can be done. If it is not, there are 4 choices: closure of the wound, drainage and proximal diversion; primary closure or resection and anastomosis of the wound with exteriorization; formation of a double-barrelled colostomy; and resection of the injured colon with formation of an end-colostomy and a mucosal fistula or a Hartmann procedure. The surgeon''s choice should be dictated by the severity of the injury, the degree of fecal contamination and the general condition of the patient.