Perineal trauma in children: a standardized management approach

[Severe combined injury of the rectum and bladder in a child]

Traumatic anorectal injuries are rare in pediatric surgical practice. Only several similar cases are described in the world literature. This causes no generally accepted algorithms and tactics for these patients. We demonstrate successful surgical treatment of combined trauma of the rectum and bladder in a child. A 13-year-old boy was hospitalized after the child sat on the leg of an overturned chair. No evidence of penetrating abdominal injury was revealed. The boy underwent sigmoidoscopy under general anesthesia. We found a lacerated wound of anterior wall of the rectum measuring 1/3 of its diameter with damage to posterior wall of the bladder. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed intact abdominal cavity. Wall defects were sutured (bladder wound was sutured during traditional cystotomy), and we formed protective separate double-barreled sigmostomy. In 3 months after discharge, the child was hospitalized for cystography and fistulography with subsequent closure of stoma. In long-term postoperative period (6 months), the quality of life is satisfactory. There is no pain and disturbances of urination.

Surgical management of traumatic perineal injury in female children: A report of two cases

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Perineal trauma is uncommon in paediatric population,accounting for about 0.2 to 8 % of all paediatric trauma. The goal of surgical management is to ensure adequate anatomical reconstruction with good functional outcome and cosmesis. A novel surgical technique derived from posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP)was recently described for reconstruction of perineal injuries due to sexual assault in children. We report our experience with the utilization of this technique for perineal reconstruction in 2 girls with fourth-degree traumatic genito-anal injury.

CASE PRESENTATION

The first patient is a 6 year old girl who presented 2 months post perineal injury following a fall.Previous multiple attempts at repair in peripheral hospital failed.She had Initial debridement,wound irrigation and divided sigmoid colostomy for stool diversion done.Definitive reconstruction was performed 5 months later.The second patient is a 14 year old girl that presented 6 days following perineal trauma sustained while riding a bicycle.Primary repair was also attempted before referral,with subsequent wound breakdown.Wound debridement and colostomy creation was done and surgical reconstruction carried out 6 months later.Following definitive repair,the colostomies in both patients were closed at 2 and 3 months respectively.Both patients are fully continent of stool and have excellent cosmetic outcome during postoperative follow up.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

The surgical technique allows for effective dissection and proper reconstruction of the perineal body and anorectal sphincters.It also avoids unnecessary dissection and tissue disruption as the intact posterior rectal wall and anal sphincters are left undisturbed.

CONCLUSION

The Surgical technique derived from the principles of posterior sagittal anorectoplasty gives excellent functional outcome in perineal trauma.

Radiologic Imaging Does Not Add Value for Female Pediatric Patients with Isolated Blunt Straddle Mechanisms

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to characterize the utility of radiologic imaging and examination under anesthesia in female pediatric patients with isolated blunt straddle injuries.

DESIGN

Retrospective review.

SETTING

Single health care system with a children's hospital and level 1 pediatric trauma center.

PARTICIPANTS

Female patients aged 1-17 years with blunt straddle injuries from 2006 to 2018.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Radiologic imaging performed, number of patients requiring exam under anesthesia (EUA), number of injuries not identified in patients who did not undergo EUA.

RESULTS

The study cohort included 83 patients. Of these, 11 (13%) had imaging performed. Thirty-four patients were managed as outpatients, 28 were discharged from the emergency department without need for intervention, and 49 patients were admitted. Of these, 48 (98%) went to the operating room for exam EUA. No occult injuries were identified on radiologic studies. Imaging was not associated with need for EUA. No missed injuries occurred in children who were not imaged. Two patients who were imaged returned for EUA following evolution of symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Radiologic imaging did not add diagnostic value for female pediatric patients with blunt straddle injuries. These data emphasize the importance of EUA with repair and advocates for minimization of radiologic imaging in this patient group.

The management of perineal trauma in children

Aims:

This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of perineal trauma in children and to a define protocol for their management.

Methods:

It is a retrospective study of children who presented with perineal injury between August 2012 and December 2020. The patients were classified into three groups: Group-1 included children with perineal and genitourinary injuries; Group-2 included patients with perineal and anorectal injuries; and Group-3 included patients with perineal, genitourinary, and anorectal injuries. All patients underwent primary repair. Those with full-thickness anorectal injury underwent an additional covering colostomy, while urethral disruption was initially managed by a diverting suprapubic cystostomy (SPC).

Results:

A total of 41 patients were studied. Impalement injury (n = 11; 27%) and sexual abuse (n = 11; 27%) were the most common mechanisms of injury. Twenty (49%) patients had anorectal injuries with 10 (24%) each of partial-thickness and full-thickness injury. There were 24 (59%) genital injuries and five (12%) urethral injuries. One patient each developed anal and vaginal stenosis, both were managed with dilatation. One patient developed a rectovaginal fistula repaired surgically at a later date.

Conclusion:

Perineal injuries with resultant anorectal or genital damage require a careful primary survey. Following stabilization, an examination under anesthesia as a set protocol will help determine the treatment strategy. A colostomy is essential in the acute management of severe anorectal injuries to reduce local complications and preserve continence. Urethral injuries may warrant an initial diverting SPC in selected cases.

Genital injuries acute evaluation and management

Genital trauma may result in external injuries to the labia, vulva or vagina, urethra and anus and internal injuries to the bony pelvis, bladder, bowels and reproductive organs. Worldwide, the most common cause of genital trauma in reproductive age women is injury sustained during childbirth, but in this chapter we will focus on accidental genital injuries as well as those arising from sexual violence, and female genital mutilation. While genital injuries alone rarely result in death; if not properly managed, chronic discomfort, dyspareunia, infertility, or fistula formation may result. Clinicians need to be able to recognize these injuries and provide initial management, and assure that the patient's mental, emotional and physical needs are addressed.

Perineal impalement injury by steel bar - A near miss

Adult perianal impalement injuries are uncommon but can carry high morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a penetrating perineal trauma in a construction worker highlighting an innovative use of a Sengstaken tube to control his pelvic bleeding, as well as the operative management of his sphincteric injury. This article illustrates principles of effective acute care and discusses a diagnostic approach to evaluating a potentially complex injury, as well as the decision-making process with regard to fecal diversion and choice of sphincteric repair.

Treatment of rape-induced urogenital and lower gastrointestinal lesions among girls aged 5 years or younger

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate outcomes after treatment of rape-induced urogenital and lower gastrointestinal lesions among young girls.

METHODS

In a retrospective study, data were assessed from girls aged 5 years or younger who were treated for sexual-assault-related injuries at the General Referral Hospital, Panzi, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, between 2004 and 2014. Data were obtained from review of charts, records of the mother's impressions and physical examinations, and photographic evidence. Elective surgery had been reserved for patients experiencing fecal and/or urinary incontinence.

RESULTS

Overall, 205 girls aged 5 years or younger presented with rape injuries: 162 (79.1%) had only mucocutaneous lesions, 22 (10.7%) had musculocutaneous lesions, and 21 (10.2%) had musculocutaneous lesions complicated by fecal and/or urinary incontinence. Among the 21 girls who underwent perineal surgery, two with fecal and urinary incontinence and perforation of the peritoneum of Douglas pouch were additionally treated by laparoscopy. Among 16 patients with fecal incontinence, the continence score had improved significantly at 10.4 months after surgery (P<0.001). Concomitant urinary incontinence subsided for four of five patients but persisted for one who had a gunshot wound to the vagina. Cosmetic outcome was normal in 19 cases.

CONCLUSION

For rape survivors aged 5 years or younger, a treatment strategy by which surgery is reserved for incontinent patients provided good cosmetic and functional outcomes.

Anorectal injuries in children: a 20-year experience in two centers

INTRODUCTION

Anorectal injuries in children are not frequently reported and their management is challenging. This report reviews the experience in managing this type of injuries in two medical centers over 20 years.

METHODS

An institutional database search for patients who were treated for anorectal injuries between 1994 and 2015 was undertaken. Twenty cases were located and medical records reviewed. This study was conducted with institutional review board approval (#572-14).

RESULTS

There were 6 girls and 14 boys with ages ranging between 1 and 15 years (mean 7 years). Eleven patients sustained penetrating trauma, while nine sustained blunt trauma. The mechanism of injury was variable and associated injuries were more common in blunt trauma. Most common presenting symptoms were rectal bleeding (n = 12) and anal pain (n = 11), followed by abdominal pain in six patients. Eighteen anorectal injuries were extraperitoneal and two intraperitoneal. Among patients with extraperitoneal injuries, 12/18 were managed by primary repair with (6) or without (6) fecal diversion and 2/18 by wound irrigation and drainage with fecal diversion and delayed repair. Four patients had superficial anal and perineal injuries that were irrigated and left to heal by secondary intention. Two patients with intraperitoneal rectal injuries underwent primary repair with fecal diversion. Follow-up period ranged from 2 weeks to 8 years (mean 2 years). There were three cases of wound infection, one case of suture line leak requiring reoperation and one case of vesicorectal fistula in a patient with combined trauma of the rectum and urinary bladder. There was no mortality. Fecal continence was preserved in all patients available for follow-up evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary repair of the perineal wound and anal sphincters can be performed safely in most cases given hemodynamic stability. Fecal diversion should be saved for cases with severe perineal involvement or cases with substantial associated injuries and concern of gross contamination.

Rope swing injuries resulting in vulvar trauma

BACKGROUND

River tree rope swings are popular for recreation along inland lakes and rivers, but not without hazard. In a comprehensive review of injuries related to rope swings, genital injuries accounted for nearly 3 percent.

CASE

We describe significant genital injuries, with laceration and avulsion of the labia and a large vulvar hematoma in 2 young women as a consequence of rope swing use.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Visitors to inland waterways need to be cognizant of the hazards of rope swings and health care professionals should consider this mechanism of injury when confronted with vulvar trauma.

Fecal continence following complex anorectal trauma in children

BACKGROUND

Complex injuries involving the anus and rectum are uncommon in children. We sought to examine long-term fecal continence following repair of these injuries.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review using our trauma registry from 2003 to 2012 of children with traumatic injuries to the anus or rectum at a level I pediatric trauma center. Patients with an injury requiring surgical repair that involved the anal sphincters and/or rectum were selected for a detailed review.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients (21/13,149 activations, 0.2%) who had an injury to the anus (n=9), rectum (n=8), or destructive injury to both the anus and rectum (n=4) were identified. Eleven (52%) patients were male, and the median age at time of injury was 9 (range 1-14) years. Penetrating trauma accounted for 48% of injuries. Three (14%) patients had accompanying injury to the urinary tract, and 6 (60%) females had vaginal injuries. All patients with an injury involving the rectum and destructive anal injuries were managed with fecal diversion. No patient with an isolated anal injury underwent fecal diversion. Four (19%) patients developed wound infections. The majority (90%) of patients were continent at last follow-up. One patient who sustained a gunshot injury to the pelvis with sacral nerve involvement is incontinent, but remains artificially clean on an intense bowel management program with enemas, and one patient with a destructive crush injury still has a colostomy.

CONCLUSIONS

With anatomic reconstruction of the anal sphincter mechanism, most patients with traumatic anorectal injuries will experience long-term fecal continence. Follow-up is needed as occasionally these patients, specifically those with nerve or crush injury, may require a formal bowel management program.

Penetrating anorectal injuries in Jamaican children

PURPOSE

To discuss the presentation, management and outcomes of penetrating anorectal injuries at the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

METHODS

A retrospective review over an 11-year period (January 2001-December 2011) was undertaken. The data analysed were extracted from patients' case notes which were pulled based on the hospital's admission database.

RESULTS

Over the study period a total of 14 children presented with penetrating anorectal injuries. The medical records for one child were missing. The mean age at presentation was 6 years. Impalement by a metal spike was the mechanism of injury in 12 children, with one case of sexual assault. Three of the children had associated urogenital injuries. Ten rectal injuries were extraperitoneal. Five of the 13 cases (38 %) were managed with a colostomy-average time to closure was 6 months. There was one case of perineal wound infection and dehiscence. There was no mortality.

CONCLUSION

Selective fecal diversion in the form of a sigmoid loop colostomy is a safe and acceptable management option for children with penetrating anorectal injuries. The perineal wound itself can be closed primarily except in cases of delayed presentation.