Abstract

Aim: Stab wounds of the colon are usually mild injuries and can be managed safely with early primary repair. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the septic complications in penetrating colon injuries anel leak rate managed with primary repair. Methods: In this retrospective study, we evaluated 38 patients who had penetrating stab wounds of the colon in our clinic between 1998 and 2003. Location of colonic injury was cecum in 3 (7.9%), ascenden colon in 4 (10.5%), transverse colon in 18 (47.4%), eleseenden colon in 6 (15.8%), sigmoid co/on in 6 (15.8%) and multible sites in 1 (2.6%) patient. We performed primary repaires in 33 (86.8%), partial resection and colostomy with Hartman prosedure in 1 (2.6%) and only colostomy from injuried side in 4 (10.5%)of 38 patients. Results: The most comman postoperative complication was wound infection (10.5%) and leakage of the anastomosis was not observed. The hospital stay after primary repair was shorter than after colostomy excluding colostomy closure time. Conclusion: We conclude that, if technically possible, all penetrating stab wounds of colon can be managed with primary repair.