Stercoraceous and spontaneous perforations of the colon.

The natural histories of stercoraceous and spontaneous perforations of the colon have many similarities which justify their being considered in the same treatise. Both entities are infrequently diagnosed preoperatively, and both entities are associated with a high mortality. Although the incidence of stercoraceous and spontaneous perforations of the colon is difficult to determine, their occurrence demands a high index of suspicion for early diagnosis and treatment. A critical review of available cases emphasizes the importance of a better understanding of the natural history of both entities, for it is only in this way that the high mortality associated with both can be improved upon. At least stercoraceous perforations of the colon appear to be preventable, and consideration is given to this aspect.