Mhaske Ashok N, Gupta Nishi, Mishra Abhishek, Jaiswal Shubham, Dausage Chirag, Meena Jyoti, Goyal Gourav
Department of General Surgery, People's College of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, People's University, Bhopal, IND.
Cureus. 2024 May 26;16(5):e61096. doi: 10.7759/cureus.61096. eCollection 2024 May.
Industrial accidents involving compressed air can lead to significant colonic injuries, ranging from minor tears to complete perforations. This study investigates a case of colonic barotrauma in a 40-year-old male oil refinery worker who suffered symptoms of lower abdominal discomfort, distension, and tenderness following the application of compressed air to his anus. Diagnostic tests, including blood count, abdominal X-ray, and ultrasonography, indicated fecal impaction, dilated bowel loops, and free gas under the diaphragm. An exploratory laparotomy revealed a 4 cm x 2 cm hole in the colon at the hepatic flexure. There were also small breaks in the mucosa at the junction of the recto-sigmoid. We surgically repaired the perforation with primary closure, metrogyl lavage, and the placement of an intra-abdominal pelvic drain. Two weeks later, the patient recovered without any complications and was discharged. This case report highlights the severe risks of non-medical compressed air exposure, as well as the critical need for immediate surgical intervention and preventive safety measures in industrial settings.
涉及压缩空气的工业事故可能导致严重的结肠损伤，范围从轻微撕裂到完全穿孔。本研究调查了一名40岁男性炼油厂工人的结肠气压伤病例，该工人在肛门被施加压缩空气后出现下腹部不适、腹胀和压痛症状。包括血常规、腹部X线和超声检查在内的诊断测试显示有粪便嵌塞、肠袢扩张和膈下游离气体。剖腹探查发现结肠肝曲处有一个4厘米×2厘米的洞。直肠乙状结肠交界处的黏膜也有小破损。我们通过一期缝合、甲硝唑灌洗和腹腔盆腔引流对穿孔进行了手术修复。两周后，患者康复且无任何并发症并出院。本病例报告强调了非医疗性接触压缩空气的严重风险，以及工业环境中立即进行手术干预和预防性安全措施的迫切需要。
