Blunt pelviperineal injuries. An expanded role for the diverting colostomy.

The combination of blunt pelvic and perineal injuries is relatively uncommon but carries with it a high morbidity and mortality. A colostomy with distal wash-out plays a significant role in the prophylaxis of septic complications, even in the absence of recognizable colorectal trauma. Among 14 patients with this type of injury, there were six deaths (42 per cent). Three patients died initially because of hemorrhage, and three late deaths were due to sepsis. Two of these patients had no colostomy, and one had a diversion without wash-out. The indications for proximal diversion should be broadened to include an expanded view of the perineum, herein presented.