[Extensive rectosigmoid stenosis caused by caustic enema. Apropos of a case in an African woman]

The rectal administration of irritant substances can induce lesions which do not regress after removal of the cause. More or less severe and more or less extensive stenoses have been reported in the literature. The authors report a case of very extensive and very tight rectosigmoid stenosis developing after potassium enema administered to a chronically constipated 26 year old African woman with limited rectal stenosis of unknown origin. Rectosigmoid and left colonic resection with trans-anal recto-colonic anastomosis gave this patient normal intestinal transit and good faecal comfort.