Stab wounds of the colon.

In a retrospective analysis of 38 patients with stab wounds of the colon, 89% of the colon wounds involved only up to one fourth of the wall. One third of the patients had no other abdominal organ injuries. All patients were operated on within 11 hours from the injury. The method of management of the colon wound was based on the surgeon's individual assessment, with 76% undergoing primary repair. The significant factors favouring a colostomy over primary repair were the older age of the patient (P = 0.04), and the longer delay from trauma to the operation (P = 0.01). The overall complication rate was 32% with no mortality. Four patients (11%) developed colon-related infection complications. The hospital stay after primary repair was on average 15 days shorter than after colostomy including colostomy closure time (P < 0.001). In conclusion, stab wounds of the colon are usually mild injuries and can be managed safely with early primary repair.