Hydrogen peroxide irrigation as an adjunct to digital rectal examination for detection of penetrating low rectal injuries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Rectal trauma carries significant morbidity, particularly if there is a delay in diagnosis. Digital rectal examination has a relatively low sensitivity. Proctoscopy and sigmoidoscopy are available but can be limited in situations with increased fecal burden or uncooperative patients. We suggest more sensitive bedside techniques are necessary to diagnose low rectal injury, and here present a case report to demonstrate proof of concept using hydrogen peroxide to directly visualize an injury.

Methods

Digital rectal examination was performed in a patient after multiple gunshot wounds and was negative for gross blood. Suspicion for low rectal injury remained high, and hydrogen peroxide was used to evaluate bullet trajectory. Approximately 25 mL of 3% hydrogen peroxide

SUBMITTER: O'Brien M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11337667 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature