Ndubuisi Eke, Monday K Sapira, John E Raphael.
Transection of descending colon by blunt trauma in the left loin.
Pak J Surg Jan ;28(2):163-5.

A 35-year-old male sawyer was accidentally struck on the left fl ank by a plank. Subsequently, he developed haematuria and his general condition appeared to deteriorate. An ultrasound scan reportedly showed left renal laceration. Th is prompted a referral to the urology unit of UPTH for a suspected renal injury. Catheterization yielded haematuria. An initial clinical diagnosis of renal injury was made. As he was clinically stable, a conservative management with close monitoring was initiated. A few days later, he developed subcutaneous emphysema where he was struck. At a laparotomy 10 days aft er the initial injury, the peritoneal cavity was not soiled. A complete transaction of the mid-descending colon with retroperitoneal abscess was found. Th e abscess was evacuated. Resection and primary anastomosis of the colon was done. Th e patient did not recover from anaesthesia and died four hours aft er operation. Conclusion: Delay in diagnosis and treatment may have contributed to the death of this patient.

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