# Rectum

Rectum

Approximately 5% of colon injuries involve the rectum. These are generally from a penetrating injury , although occasionally the rectum may be damaged following fracture of  the pelvis. Digital rectal examination will reveal the pres ence of  blood, which is evidence of  intestinal or rectal injury . These injuries are often associated with bladder and proximal urethral injury . W ith intraperitoneal injuries, the rectum is managed as for colonic injuries. Full-thickness extraperitoneal rectal injuries can be managed with primary repair and drainage depending on the type of  injury , i.e. suitable for knife wounds but not bal listic trauma. Where there is extensive tissue loss, this should be managed with either a diverting end-colostomy and closure of  the distal end (Hartmann’s procedure) or a loop colostomy . Presacral drainage is no longer used. Rectum

Approximately 5% of colon injuries involve the rectum. These are generally from a penetrating injury , although occasionally the rectum may be damaged following fracture of  the pelvis. Digital rectal examination will reveal the pres ence of  blood, which is evidence of  intestinal or rectal injury . These injuries are often associated with bladder and proximal urethral injury . W ith intraperitoneal injuries, the rectum is managed as for colonic injuries. Full-thickness extraperitoneal rectal injuries can be managed with primary repair and drainage depending on the type of  injury , i.e. suitable for knife wounds but not bal listic trauma. Where there is extensive tissue loss, this should be managed with either a diverting end-colostomy and closure of  the distal end (Hartmann’s procedure) or a loop colostomy . Presacral drainage is no longer used. Rectum

Approximately 5% of colon injuries involve the rectum. These are generally from a penetrating injury , although occasionally the rectum may be damaged following fracture of  the pelvis. Digital rectal examination will reveal the pres ence of  blood, which is evidence of  intestinal or rectal injury . These injuries are often associated with bladder and proximal urethral injury . W ith intraperitoneal injuries, the rectum is managed as for colonic injuries. Full-thickness extraperitoneal rectal injuries can be managed with primary repair and drainage depending on the type of  injury , i.e. suitable for knife wounds but not bal listic trauma. Where there is extensive tissue loss, this should be managed with either a diverting end-colostomy and closure of  the distal end (Hartmann’s procedure) or a loop colostomy . Presacral drainage is no longer used.