Outcome of Primary Colonic Repair in Penetrating Abdominal Trauma

Abstract

Colon is quite frequently involved in penetrating abdominal trauma. A retrospective study of 45 patients who underwent primary repair of colonic injuries in the Mayo Hospital emergency over a period of tow and a half years is presented. The colonic repair or resection and anastomosis was done in single or double layer of interrupted sutures. Left colon (11%) was the most frequently injured site, followed by ascending colon (9%) and transverse colon (9%). Primary repair of perforations 17(%) was the commonest procedure performed followed by right hemicolectomy 15 (%). Bullet tract infection was the major complication encountered 5(%) followed by laparotomy wound infection 3(%) and anastomotic lead 3(%). Primary repair can be done in more cases then it is routinely done. Gross faecal contamination extensive colonic damage and type of faces in affected colon should be considered as indication favoring colostomy.