title: Extraperitoneal rectal gunshot injuries.
abstract: Extraperitoneal rectal gunshot injuries are rare, but may be encountered in civilian practice. We report on a series of 26 such cases. The aim of the study is to attempt to evolve a treatment policy of this injury. The principles of management include the repair of rectal wound in selected cases and the formation of a diverting colostomy. Distal rectal washout and presacral drainage, although advocated by some authors, do not seem to be indispensable adjuncts to the management of these injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Strauss
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aladgem
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Degiannis
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Boffard
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saadia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003125:Colostomy; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012007:Rectum / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*