Levy R D, Strauss P, Aladgem D, Degiannis E, Boffard K D, Saadia R
Department of Surgery, University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa.
J Trauma. 1995 Feb;38(2):273-7. doi: 10.1097/00005373-199502000-00025.
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.
