Introduction
The standard management of anal injury has been developed primarily based on damage in military settings. However, because anal damage occurs through different mechanisms in civilian settings, its treatment also varies. It is important to minimize infectious complications and preserve anal sphincter function in the treatment of anal injury. In this report, we present a case of anal sphincter injury in the civilian setting and discuss treatment options.
Case presentation
A 32-year-old man who had no significant medical history visited our trauma center with an injury caused by a 2-m fall. The exact mechanism of the injury was not confirmed, but an external wound was observed at the 7 o’clock position around the anus (Fig. 1). The patient’s vital signs were stable. Initial imaging studies showed pelvic ring injury—both superior and inferior ramus fractures. In addition, computed tomography revealed multiple air bubbles around the anus, indicating anorectal injury (Fig. 2). Urethral catheterization was unsuccessful and the patient presented with severe pain, indicating urethral injury.
Surgery was performed for wound exploration, and severe anal sphincter injury and hematoma of the bladder were observed (Fig. 3). Upon intraoperative sigmoidoscopy, we confirmed that the rectum and sigmoid colon were not injured. The anal wound was cleaned and irrigated, and two silicone drains were inserted (Fig. 4). Fecal diversion with loop sigmoid colostomy was performed. After suprapubic cystostomy was performed by a urologist, endoscopic primary realignment was attempted, but the procedure failed. After surgery, magnetic resonance imaging was performed for further evaluation of sphincter damage, and we confirmed that the internal and external anal sphincters were damaged on the right side by approximately 1.2 cm (Fig. 5). The patient underwent closed reduction and screw fixation for the pelvic ring injury on the 13th day. The silicone drains were removed on the 26th day, and no wound infection was observed (Fig. 6). The patient was discharged on the 30th day after suprapubic cystostomy and colostomy.
Discussion
The principles of anorectal trauma management include the “4 Ds”: diversion, distal rectal washout, drainage of the presacral area, and direct repair of the injury [1]. However, these principles are mainly applicable to penetrating trauma in military settings, and data regarding anorectal injury in civilian settings are still lacking. Therefore, treatment should be applied on a case-by-case basis. In the present study, we performed fecal diversion with loop sigmoid colostomy because we determined that the patient had severe anal sphincter injury and was at a high risk of wound infection. We are currently planning colostomy reversal and sphincter reconstruction, but it is difficult to predict whether the anal sphincter function will be restored and, if so, to what extent. To predict the functional outcome, anorectal manometry can be performed prior to colostomy reversal [2].
In men, blunt pelvic trauma with pelvic ring injury causes posterior urethral injury (PUI) in up to 10% of patients, and long-term morbidity due to PUIs is associated with urethral stricture, erectile dysfunction, and urinary incontinence [3,4]. In our patient, we performed suprapubic cystostomy because urethral catheterization failed. Primary realignment also failed as a result of the severe injury; therefore, a suprapubic catheter was inserted, and delayed urethroplasty is being currently planned. Clinicians should monitor complications and functional recovery after anal sphincter reconstruction and urethroplasty.
PDF Links
PubReader
ePub Link
XML Download
Full text via DOI
Download Citation
Print
