INVOLUNTARY DEFECATION IN ACUTELY INJURED PATIENTS - A USEFUL CLINICAL SIGN

The phenomenon of involuntary defaecation following acute, severe inju ries has never been documented before, but has been noted by those who work in major trauma units. The exact cause of the phenomenon is unkn own. We prospectively noted 14 patients who involuntarily defaecated i n a 3-month period and analysed their clinical findings retrospectivel y. Involuntary defaecation occurred only in patients with severe penet rating or blunt injuries. In those with precordial stabs, involuntary defaecation was partictularly predictive of cardiac injury, and in all injuries was associated with higher surgical intervention and mortali ty rates. The occurrence of involuntary defaecation in injured patient s is a useful sign that nearly always indicates the need for urgent in tervention.