Stomas and trauma.

The current dogma about the treatment of penetrating colon injuries is reviewed, both from the civilian and the military perspective. This discussion is still evolving, and the time-honored methods of diversion, including colostomy and ileostomy, are still appropriate for the most severe and devastating sorts of wounds, especially in the military context. For the vast majority of penetrating wounds, primary repair works well and should be practiced. For the few patients who have primary repair that fails and leaks, mortality rates are high. The art of surgery involves knowing when to divert and when to repair.