Gastrointestinal injuries

Any wound that penetrates the abdomen may involve the gastrointestinal tract whether controlled for a specific operation of diagnostic procedure or uncontrolled when secondary to blunt or penetrating trauma. The first important consideration is the prevention of complications. The choice of incisions, the managment of the contaminated peritoneal cavity, intestinal fistulas and specific bowel injuries and the importan differences in the treatment of injuries to small intestine versus to large intestine and rectum be considered. Bowel viability must also be determined.