Penetrating Colonic Injuries: Primary Repair Versus Colostomy

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the primary repair with colostomy in colonic injuries at tertiary care hospital in terms of 
morbidity and hospital stay.                                                                                                                   
Study Design:  Quasi experimental study 
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in the Department of Surgery, Unit II BVH Bahawalpur 
from 27-01-2010 to 31-8-2010.  
Patients and Methods: A total of sixty patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected for this study. Patients 
were randomly allocated in two groups. Group A (Primary Repair) and Group B (Colostomy), 30 patients in each 
group. Follow up in group A patients was done twice after 2 weeks and after one month. The follow up in group B 
was done for multiple times. Initially the visit was advised after every two weeks until the patient was called back 
for colostomy closure.   
Results: The mean age in group A was 28.9+8.1 years and in group B was 30.1+14.0 years. The mean hospital stay 
in group A was 8.9+3.65 days and in group B was 11.0+4.7 days. At two weeks follow up, in group A, there was 
one (3.3%) patient of abscess, one(3.3%) of suture repair leak, one (3.3%)patient of sepsis and 2 (6.7%)patients of 
wound infection. In group B, there were 2(6.7%) patients of abscess, one (3.3%) patient of suture repair leak, 
3(10%) patients of sepsis and 4(13.3%) patients of wound infection.  
Conclusion: This is concluded from our study that primary repair was safe and effective treatment modality in the 
management of colonic injuries as compared to colostomy.