Morbidity and mortality of extraperitoneal rectal trauma

Background - Extraperitoneal rectal injuries represent 3 to 5% of all traumatisms and abdominal injuries, and they are highlighted by their high morbidity/mortality presented if not early and appropriately diagnosed and treated. Nowadays there is not a consensus related to an optimal surgical management. Aim - To relate the experience in treating this disease, evaluating factors that influence mortality and morbidity. Methods - It consisted in a descriptive retrospective study where it was reviewed handbooks of all extraperitoneal rectal trauma patients operated between January 1998 and December 2007. The abdominal trauma rate, the interval between trauma and surgery and the initial surgery's type were related to infectious complications and mortality. Results - There were evaluated 13 patients: 5 injured by firearms, 5 autoimpalament and 3 by closed trauma. The abdominal trauma mean rate of infected and dead was more than 25. 61% of patients (n=8) underwent surgery before 8 hours. The infection rate was 61.5% and 90% of infected patients required additional surgeries. The series' mortality was 38.5% (5 patients). In patients operated after 8 hours there was perirectal infection in 80% of them, and 80% of mortality regardless of surgery performed type. Conclusions - The delay over 8 hours in treating and the abdominal trauma rate over 25 were the main factors associated with perirectal infection and mortality in this series. Absence of presacral drainage and distal rectal wash were correlated with increased incidence of perirectal infection.