EXTRAPERITONEAL RECTAL GUNSHOT INJURIES

Extraperitoneal rectal gunshot injuries are rare, but may be encounter ed in civilian practice. We report on a series of 26 such cases. The a im of the study is to attempt to evolve a treatment policy of this inj ury. The principles of management include the repair of rectal wound i n selected cases and the formation of a diverting colostomy. Distal re ctal washout and presacral drainage, although advocated by some author s, do not seem to be indispensable adjuncts to the management of these injuries.