Management of civilian extraperitoneal rectal injuries

The mortality and morbidity of rectal injuries are highly unsatisfactory. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with rectal injuries to draw some practical guidelines for management of such injuries.

The medical records of all patients diagnosed at our hospitals with full-thickness rectal injuries between 1994 and 2003 were retrospectively reviewed.

Full-thickness rectal injuries were identified in 23 patients; 19 patients had extraperitoneal injuries and four had both intra- and extraperitoneal injuries. The mean age was 33.5 years (range, 5-73 years). The mechanism of injury was penetrating in 11 patients, blunt in six, impalement in three and iatrogenic in three. Injuries were closed primarily in 17 patients, with variable combinations of adjunct procedures. Eight patients were treated without colostomy. Drainage and rectal washout were performed in 11 and six patients, respectively. Overall, 11 patients developed complications, including eight wound infections and five pelvic septic complications related to the rectal injury. Four of the five pelvic septic complications and all three deaths occurred in patients with shock, at least two associated-organ injuries and more than 6 hours' delay in treatment.

Rectal injuries are serious additive mortality and morbidity factors in multi-injured patients. Regardless of treatment modality, wound infection is associated with shock at presentation and more than 6 hours' delay in treatment.