Outcomes after colon trauma in the 21st century: an analysis of the U.S. National Trauma Data Bank

Introduction: Most colon trauma data arise from institutional series that provide descriptive analysis. We investigated the outcome of these patients by analyzing a nationwide database.

Methods: We queried the U.S. National Trauma Data Bank (2007-2009) using primary International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition, Clinical Modification codes to identify colon injuries. Outcomes were stratified by injury mechanism (blunt versus penetrating), segment of colon injured, and management strategy (diversion versus in continuity).

Results: There were 6,817 patients who suffered primary colon injuries; 82% were male and 48% experienced blunt injuries. Blunt colon trauma patients were older, had lengthier intensive care stays, and greater rates of morbidity and mortality than those with penetrating injuries (all P < .05). Nonspecified injuries were the most common (36%), followed by transverse colon injuries (24%). The overall fecal diversion rate was 9%, with the highest rates seen in patients with sigmoid colon injuries (15%). Diverted patients were older, had higher injury severity scores, and increased mortality (22% vs 12%; P < .001). Multivariate analysis found that neither mechanism nor fecal diversion were independently associated with increased morbidity or mortality.

Conclusion: Sigmoid colon injuries seem to be managed with fecal diversion more often than other segmental injuries. Neither blunt mechanism nor fecal diversion were independently associated with adverse outcomes in colon trauma.