Colon Trauma: Evidence-Based Practices

Evaluation of the predictive effects of trauma scoring systems in colorectal injuries

INTRODUCTION

Colorectal injuries following traumas are significant causes of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive effect of trauma scoring systems on mortality and morbidity in patients with post-traumatic colon injury.

METHODS

The records of 145 patients with colon trauma treated at Seyhan State Hospital between January 1, 2010, and January 1, 2020, were retrospectively analyzed. Injury Seriousness Score (ISS), Revised Trauma Score (RTS), Trauma Injury Severity Score (TRISS), and Colon Injury Score (CIS) scores were calculated for all patients. The predictive effects of scoring systems on primary outcomes of surgical treatment, complication rates, mortality, and anastomotic leaks were evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 36.1 (SD ± 16.6), and the female/male ratio was 37/108. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 12 (8.2%) patients, and complications were observed in 57 (39.3%) patients. Seven (4.7%) patients died. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the increase in CIS and anastomotic leakage, morbidity, and mortality. Increases in ISS and decreases in RTS and TRISS were associated with increased morbidity and mortality, but these relationships were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

A significant relationship was observed between the increase in CIS and anastomotic leakage, morbidity, and mortality. The study suggests the need for a specific scoring system for evaluating the prognostic status in colon traumas, as ISS, RTS, and TRISS scores were not found to be significantly predictive of outcomes in this patient population.

Laparoscopic treatment for colonic injuries following penetrating trauma: A feasible option in a surgical department of Sub-Saharan Africa

Introduction

The management of abdominal penetrating trauma remains complex. Between the risk of negative laparotomy and missed visceral injury, laparoscopy is a good alternative. We report 2 cases of abdominal penetrating trauma with colonic injury diagnosed and treated with laparoscopic approach.

Observations

The first patient was 15 years old, with no medical history and received at 3 h of a penetrating trauma by stabbing. Hemodynamic status was normal. An exploratory laparoscopy was performed. It objectified a penetration of the peritoneum on the left flank with an injury of the anti-mesenteric edge of the descending colon that was sutured. The second patient was 20 years old, with no history, who had a penetrating trauma of the left iliac fossa by stabbing. Arterial pressure was normal. He was received 6 h after the trauma. An exploratory laparoscopy objectified an injury of 2 cm located at the sigmoid colon which was sutured with a good evolution.

Conclusion

Laparoscopy in abdominal wounds is a good option in selected patients. It has a diagnostic and therapeutic importance in colonic injuries. The limits are represented by the possibility of unrecognized visceral lesions that can lead to additional morbidity.

WSES guidelines on blunt and penetrating bowel injury: diagnosis, investigations, and treatment

The aim of this paper was to review the recent literature to create recommendations for the day-to-day diagnosis and surgical management of small bowel and colon injuries. Where knowledge gaps were identified, expert consensus was pursued during the 8th International Congress of the World Society of Emergency Surgery Annual (September 2021, Edinburgh). This process also aimed to guide future research.

[Surgical approach for colon perforation and traumatic ruptures at the multifield hospital]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze postoperative outcomes in patients with colon perforation and traumatic ruptures at the multifield hospital.

MATERIAL AND METHODS/

The study included 93 patients aged 24-85 years with colon perforation and traumatic ruptures. All patients were divided into 3 groups depending on the cause of colon perforation: group 1 - 43 (46.2%) patients with colon cancer, group 2 - 27 (29%) patients with ulcerative colitis, group 3 - 22 (23.6%) patients with traumatic ruptures following blunt abdominal trauma. Cause of colon perforation was unclear in 1 (1.1%) case. Diagnostic algorithm included routine clinical and laboratory methods and modern minimally invasive endoscopic surgical technologies (ultrasound, CT, MRI, colonoscopy, laparoscopy).

RESULTS/

Ninety (96.8%) out of 93 patients with colon perforation underwent surgery. Postoperative mortality was 41.5%, 46.1% and 31.8% in all groups, respectively. Overall postoperative mortality was 40%.

CONCLUSION

Bowel resection with colostomy is preferred for colon perforation regardless the cause of injury because this procedure ensures the best immediate results. Palliative suturing of perforations with colostomy or delivering the affected colon segment on anterior abdominal wall are accompanied by high mortality and should be used for strict indications in severely ill patients.

Self-inflicted stab injury with abdominal evisceration: A case report

Introduction and importance

Self-inflicted abdominal stab injury with an intention of self-harm is uncommon. Moreover, self-inflicted injury leading to avulsion of the colon has rarely been reported in the literature. We report a case of a 42-years-female with schizoaffective disorder who presented with self-inflicted stab injury on the abdomen resulting in abdominal evisceration.

Presentation of case

A 42-years-female with schizoaffective disorder (F25) for 10 years presented to the emergency department with multiple, self-inflicted injuries on the abdomen. A large free portion of the omentum and segment of the bowel were brought in a plastic carry bag. Examination revealed multiple transverse hesitation cuts in the epigastrium and a single deep penetrating transverse cut resulting in the evisceration of the omentum and colon. Intra-operatively, avulsion of a large portion of the greater omentum and missing segment of the mid transverse colon was observed. The patient underwent an immediate abdominal exploration and side-to-side colo-colic anastomosis along with diversion ileostomy. At three months following primary surgery, ileostomy closure was done.

Conclusion

Patients with schizophrenia spectrum psychosis are at risk of self-harm and in our case a schizoaffective patient presented with self-inflicted injuries that required an emergency abdominal exploration and repair. This case highlights a multi-disciplinary approach for the management of these cases and mandates clinicians and caregivers to be more vigilant to restrict injuries in the future.

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Self-inflicted abdominal stab injuries resulting in segmental transection of the transverse colon is rare.

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Self-inflicted injuries in psychotic patients can occur without any warning signs and despite treatment compliance.

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Severe injuries on the abdomen can be life threatening and requires emergent surgical management.

Delayed presentation of an isolated sigmoid Colon injury following blunt abdominal trauma: A case report with review of literature

Introduction and importance

Isolated Colon injury due to blunt abdominal trauma is very rare. Due to lack of a definitive diagnostic method; it's very challenging to detect such injury and this will lead to delay in treatment and subsequently resulting in high morbidity and mortality. The current literature is relatively sparse concerning the management of blunt colon injuries.

Case presentation

Here, we report a case of a 17-year-old male patient with isolated sigmoid injury presented 5 days after MVC. He underwent sigmoid resection and end colostomy followed by reversal 6 weeks later. Currently, the patient is disease-free with a completely healed wound.

Conclusion

The purpose behind this paper is to raise clinical suspicion regarding delayed presentation of blunt abdominal trauma and it effect on operative decision, so that timely diagnosis and proper management could be carried out. And to discuss the applicability of the defined management algorithm for penetrating colon injury on delay blunts colonic injury.

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Isolated Colon injury due to blunt abdominal trauma is very rare and its very challenging to detect.

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We have found that only few cases have been reported for Delayed Presentation Of An Isolated Colonic Injury Following Blunt Abdominal Trauma.

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The purpose of this report is to discuss surgical management in light of our experience.

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We believe that the defined management algorithm for penetrating colon injury can’t be applied to delay injury as in this case the colon are more vulnerable which increases risk of post-operative complication.

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Additional research is needed to completely define the patient population that benefits from fecal diversion after delayed blunt colon injury requiring resection.

Meta-analysis on surgical management of colonic injuries in trauma: to divert or to anastomose?

BACKGROUND

Primary repair or resection with anastomosis (PR/A) has been gaining increasing recognition for traumatic colonic injuries, with the need for faecal diversion (FD) especially those of penetrating etiology being questioned. However, the role of PR/A in critically ill patients is still controversial with concerns pertaining to safety and anastomotic leak.

AIMS AND METHODS

We performed a systemic review of studies comparing outcomes of FD versus PR/A in traumatic colonic injuries. A systematic review was performed as per PRISMA guidelines utilizing three electronic databases: Pubmed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library resources. Mortality and anastomotic leak rates are identified as the primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. Data extracted include mortality rates, type of surgical intervention, surgical complications, and need for DC (damage control) surgery.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies were identified comprising 11 retrospective, 2 prospective cohort and 1 randomized trial with a total of 2071 patients. Six studies included patients that underwent DC surgery. The overall mortality rate was 3.77% and was higher in the FD group compared to PR/A group (5.38% vs 2.49%, p = 0.07). 71.3% of patients underwent PR/A with an overall leak rate of 4.63%. There was no difference in intra-abdominal collections between the PR/A and FD groups. In the subgroup analysis, anastomotic leak rate was significantly higher in the DC group compared to non-DC group (16.7% vs 3.2%, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis supports PR/A in stable patients with traumatic colonic injuries. FD should be considered in critically ill patients who require DC surgery as leak rates are significantly higher.

Contemporary Trends and Outcomes of Blunt Traumatic Colon Injuries Requiring Resection

BACKGROUND

After traumatic injury, primary anastomosis after colon resection has overtaken ostomy diversion. Improved technology facilitating primary anastomosis speed and integrity may have driven this change. Trends in ostomy versus anastomosis have yet to be quantified, and recent literature comparing outcomes is incomplete.

METHODS

The National Trauma Databank (2007-2014) was queried for all blunt colon injuries requiring resection. Patients were dichotomized into study groups based on whether they underwent ostomy creation. Ostomy creation frequency was compared over time. After subgrouping patients by colon injury location, multivariate regression adjusted for baseline characteristics and evaluated the impact of ostomy on clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 13,949 colon injuries requiring colectomy were identified. Ostomy frequency did not vary by study year (P = 0.536). Univariate analysis showed that patients undergoing ostomy were older (median, 40 versus 32; P < 0.001) and more often had comorbidities (65% versus 56%; P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that ostomy creation was significantly associated with lower mortality after sigmoid colon injury (odds ratio, 0.512; P = 0.011) and higher rates of unplanned reoperation after transverse colon injury (odds ratio, 3.135; P = 0.048). Across all colon injuries, ostomies were significantly associated with longer hospital length of stay, intensive care unit length of stay, and ventilator days.

CONCLUSIONS

Ostomy creation for colonic injury has reached an equilibrium trough. The impact of ostomy creation varies by not only clinical outcome but also injury location. Further study is needed to define the optimal surgical management for blunt colon injuries requiring resection.