Traumatic Injury of the Sigmoid Colon: A Rare Complication of a Blunt Abdominal Trauma.
Rahma SAKKA, Yassine MAALEJ and Amira OUIRIEMMI
The digestive system injuries during a blunt abdominal trauma represent1-5% of the small intestine injuries. The sigmoid colon is an uncommon site, accounting for less than 1%. We present a case of a 65-year-old male presenting an isolated sigmoid perforation from a 3-meter fall.A 65-year-old male, with no medical history, presents with generalized abdominal pain following a 3-meter fall. The CT scan confirms the diagnosis of an isolated sigmoid colon perforation with a large pneumoperitoneum, most likely due to trauma-induced perforation of a pre-existing sigmoid diverticulum. Initially, we admit the patient to the surgical department for preparation before an Emergency exploratory laparotomy through a midline incision involved sigmoid colon resection and the performance of a double-barrel colostomy using the Wolkmann technique.First of all, this case reports on the least common sites of perforation. Second, the mechanism resulting from a vertical force with direct abdominal impact is less common than the deceleration mechanism. Furthermore, this case demonstrates the critical role of CT scanning with a high-energy mechanism.Firstly, A severe mechanism mandates an aggressive diagnostic strategy, even with poor clinical signs and a normal FAST exam. Secondly, the elderly patients can display minimal signs of peritonitis while hiding severe intra-abdominal injuries. This case reinforces the need for clinical protocols that automatically trigger CT imaging in elderly patients regardless of a benign clinical appearance.The rarity of sigmoid injury is well-documented, with most series showing it constitutes a small minority of colonic traumas [Cite: Watts et al.]. The diagnostic challenge we faced is classic; as described by Fakhry et al., delayed diagnosis means poor outcomes. Our case demonstrates a successful pathway to avoiding such a delay: the severity of the mechanism justifies advanced imaging immediately. The CT finding of pneumoperitoneum confirms the diagnosis. Brasel et al. established that free intraperitoneal air or fluid without solid organ injury is highly suspicious for perforation.Isolated sigmoid colon perforation from blunt abdominal trauma is a rare but lethal injury that demands vigilance, driven by the mechanism of injury, and promptly investigated with CT imaging, to ensure timely surgical intervention and optimize patient outcomes.
