title: Retrospective evaluation of colon injury cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  When considering abdominal region injuries, the colon is one of the most frequently wounded organs. Due to the septic contents of the colon, failure to treat or improper treatment of colon injuries increases the risk of major complications and may result in death. The aim of our study is a retrospective evaluation of colon injury cases over a 5-year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-nine patients with a diagnosis of colon injury were included in the study. The cause of colon injury, injured area, Flint colon injury score, additional organs injured, type of surgical procedure performed, postoperative complications and mortality were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most frequent cause of colon injury was cutters (57.2%), followed by firearms (36.7%). The left colon was the most common site of injury (40.8%), followed by the transverse (28.6%) and right colon (20.4%). Primary treatment or resection and primary anastomosis were performed on 38 patients (77.6%), while primary treatment and proximal decompression colostomy were performed on 11 patients (22.4%). Eighteen of the patients (36.7%) experienced major postoperative complications, and 6 patients (12.2%) died.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The morbidity and mortality of colonic injuries can be reduced by rapid patient transportation, good operational experience, use of wide spectrum antibiotics and postoperative care in an intensive care unit.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Education and Investigation Hospital, General Surgery Department, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tamer
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sağıroğlu
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tunca
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Eryiğit
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eren
authors.affiliation: Sureyyapaşa Education and Investigation Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Burhan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meydan
authors.affiliation: Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Education and Investigation Hospital, General Surgery Department, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gezer
authors.affiliation: Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Education and Investigation Hospital, General Surgery Department, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erhan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tunca
keywords: Abdomen; Colon; Injury