The risk of infection after colon injury.

Abstract

We reviewed 137 patients with colon injury and applied multiple regression analysis to determine the influence of various parameters on colon-related infection. The complications of intra-abdominal abscess, wound infection, and peristomal abscess occurred in 25% of patients. The mortality rate was 3.6%, and four of five late deaths were caused by infection. Multiple regression analysis identified the amount of blood transfused, patient age, number of associated injuries, and injury to the spleen as significantly associated with infection (p less than 0.05). In the absence of these risk factors, the likelihood of infection is low, suggesting that primary repair or resection and anastomosis are safe methods of management for colon injury. When these factors are present, the risk of infection is high, and colostomy is the preferred method of management.