Rectal injury caused by a personal watercraft accident - Report of a case

PURPOSE: An original case of rectal injury after a personal watercraft acci dent is reported. Principles of rectal trauma management are discussed. MET HODS: We present a case of a rectal injury after a fall from a personal wat ercraft. Rigid sigmoidoscopy and a water-soluble contrast enema documented a posterior rectal tear. The patient was managed by diversion, drainage, an d administration of antibiotics. RESULTS: The patient's rectal tear healed without complication. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first repor ted case of an injury to the rectum as a result of a personal watercraft ac cident. A high suspicion of rectal injury must be maintained in victims who have fallen from the back of a personal watercraft. Treatment of a rectal injury should follow the basic principles of drainage, diversion, and admin istration of antibiotics, but variations in traditional management may be a ppropriate. Finally, preventative methods including wearing protective clot hing, and possible modification to the watercraft to reduce risk of injury should be considered.