Iatrogenic colon and rectal injuries associated with urological intervention: report of 14 patients.

Iatrogenic large bowel injuries are a potential complication of many urological procedures. During the last 6 years we have cared for 14 patients with iatrogenic injuries involving either the colon or rectum. The injuries occurred as a complication of radical prostatectomy, percutaneous stone removal, nephrectomy, urethral catheter placement, percutaneous suprapubic catheter placement and penectomy with associated cystoprostatectomy. One patient died of these complications, while in most instances hospitalization was prolonged and additional operative intervention often was required.