title: Selective primary suture of the battle-injured colon: an experience of the Nigerian Civil War.
abstract: During the 1967-9 phase of the Nigerian Civil War, 38 primary sutures of battle-injured colons were carried out, with 3 deaths, all in patients with severe concomitant injuries to the liver, diaphragm and right iliac crest. In carefully selected cases--one-third of the total--primary suture was a safe and reliable technique for dealing with battle-lacerated colons. Although there was a substantial morbidity (71 per cent) from wound sepsis, there was also a considerable reduction in the period spent in hospital.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003106:Colon / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008887:Military Medicine; D009549:Nigeria; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000601:surgery; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000601:surgery*