What does perforation of the colon mean?

A colon perforation is a puncture, cut, or tear in the wall of the colon (large intestine). This can cause air and intestinal material to leak into the abdomen. Normal Colon. Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

What is a perforated colon called?

It is possible for a perforation, or hole, to develop in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. This condition is called gastrointestinal perforation. Gastrointestinal perforation is a painful condition that can lead to further health complications, so emergency surgery is often necessary.

How common is colon perforation?

Colonic perforation occurs in 0.03–0.8% of colonoscopies [1, 2] and is the most feared complication with a mortality rate as high as 25% [1]. It may result from mechanical forces against the bowel wall, barotrauma, or as a direct result of therapeutic procedures.

How does a perforated colon happen?

Bowel perforations occur when a hole is made in this lining, often as a result of colon surgery or serious bowel disease. A hole in the colon then allows the contents of the colon to leak into the usually sterile contents of your abdominal cavity.

What is the survival rate of a perforated bowel?

An intestinal perforation is a major life-threatening condition with high morbidity and mortality that requires emergency surgery. Despite improvements in surgical and medical treatments, the overall mortality rate is 30% and the mortality rate of cases that also have diffuse peritonitis is up to 70% [1,2,3,4].

What causes colon perforation?

Bowel perforations may occur spontaneously (unexpectedly) as a result of a medical condition or instead be a complication of various diagnostic and surgical procedures that accidentally create a hole in the colon. Trauma, especially blunt trauma to the abdomen, is also an important cause of bowel perforations.

How do they fix a perforated colon?

Treatment most often involves emergency surgery to repair the hole. Sometimes, a small part of the intestine must be removed. One end of the intestine may be brought out through an opening (stoma) made in the abdominal wall. This is called a colostomy or ileostomy.

Can a perforated colon heal on its own?

Q. How is colon perforation treated? A: Contained perforation — where the contents of the colon have not leaked into the abdominal cavity because of the tear — can be treated in most cases with percutaneous drainage and intravenous antibiotics. The tear may repair itself once the infection is cleared up.

How serious is a perforated colon?

A perforated bowel is a medical emergency. Left untreated, it can quickly lead to sepsis, organ failure, shock, and even death.

What would cause a perforated colon?

How is a perforated colon treated?

Most bowel perforations are treated with surgery to repair the hole. The surgeon will also remove the fluids and waste products that have leaked into the abdomen. Sometimes people with a bowel perforation are not healthy enough to have surgery.

How do you get a perforated bowel?

What can cause a bowel perforation?

Trauma, especially blunt trauma to the abdomen, is also an important cause of bowel perforations. Procedure associated causes include: Enema – An improperly or forcefully inserted rectal tube for an enema can rip or push through the colon lining.

What is the treatment for a hole in colon?

Diagnosis and treatment. Meanwhile, the sepsis caused by the infection must be treated quickly with antibiotics and fluids. In some cases, the surgeon must perform a colostomy or ileostomy. This surgery allows the contents of your intestines to empty into a bag, through a stoma, a hole created in your abdomen.

What are the complications of perforation?

Possible complications of gastrointestinal perforation include internal bleeding and sepsis. Gastrointestinal perforation can also lead to abdominal abscesses or permanent bowel damage. It may even cause part of the bowel to die. Sometimes a person’s wounds might fail to heal following surgery, or they may develop an infection.