[Perforation of the colon by a foreign body].

Perforation of the colon carries a high mortality and morbidity. Perforations caused by foreign bodies are relatively rare and appear to be less often associated with postoperative complications than perforations due to organ disease. Depending upon the extent of the perforation and its anatomical site, as well as on the basis of the presence of diffuse or circumscribed peritonitis, the treatment of foreign-body perforation will vary from simple suturing, with or without a protective colostomy, to exteriorization in the form of a colostomy, and the Hartmann operation.