A rare occurrence of road accident: Stercoral colonic perforation

Abstract

Introduction: Stercoral perforation of the colon is a rare complication of road accidents, it constitutes a surgical emergency, of which the prognosis, often gloomy, depends on the terrain and the speed of treatment. We report the case of a stercoral perforation of the colon that occurred in a 25-year-old patient whose diagnosis was made preoperatively on computed tomography (CT) and we try to recall the pathophysiology, clinical characteristics, and therapeutic modalities of this entity.Case Report: We present the case of a 25-year-old patient, with a history of chronic smoking, consulted in the emergency department for a sub-occlusive syndrome evolving for less than 24 hours. An abdominal CT was conducted: The diagnosis of stercoral colonic perforation was retained. Due to the development of hypovolemic shock, the decision was to do a laparotomy with peritoneal lavage with colonic resection followed by an ostomy of the proximal segment and drainage of the abdominal cavity. The evolution was characterized by the discharge of the patient seven days after. Conclusion:Stercoral perforation of the colon is a rare complication of abdominal trauma. The diagnosis, often difficult and delayed, must be known by all physicians caring working in trauma centers. Stercoral perforation of the colon is a surgical emergency, the prognosis of