title: Surgical options in colorectal injuries.
abstract: Colonic or rectal injuries occur in up to 10% of patients that suffer penetrating or severe blunt abdominal trauma. The majority of colon injuries are diagnosed intraoperatively following a penetrating abdominal injury. Rectal injuries are usually diagnosed preoperatively with a high index of suspicion based upon the wounding missile trajectory. The vast majority of colon injuries can be primarily repaired with a significant trend toward avoiding colostomy whenever possible. Colostomy is increasingly reserved for rectal injuries and destructive colon injuries with extenuating circumstances such as hemodynamic instability and significant associated injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile 36617-2293, USA. rgonzalez@usouthal.edu
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Turk
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D003106:Colon / Q000293:injuries*; D003125:Colostomy / Q000379:methods; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D012007:Rectum / Q000293:injuries*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy