[Diagnosis and therapy of anorectal injuries]

Causes and management of anorectal injuries were examined in 16 patients. The outcome depends on the extent of local defects, on concomitant injuries and on the patient's age. We also stress the importance of immediate diagnosis and adequate treatment, which will result in a reduction of complications and mortality, ranging from 12 to 15% in patients with larger injuries of the colon and rectum. Management of lesions will include primary reconstruction of the sphincter muscle, suture or resection of colonic injury and total diversional colostomy.