Case Report

Colonic Barotrauma Causing Tension Pneumoperitoneum Following Jet Air Insufflation to the Rectum

10.5152/eajem.2018.07769

  • Sadaf Sheikh
  • Muhammad Akbar Baig

Received Date: 17.02.2018 Accepted Date: 25.04.2018 Eurasian J Emerg Med 2018;17(3):133-135

Rupture of colon caused by high-pressure air is a rare traumatic intra-abdominal injury. Recently, we experienced a case of colonic barotrauma followed by tension pneumoperitoneum that caused severe abdominal pain in an otherwise healthy young individual. Initially, he denied any history of trauma; later he was found to have high-pressure jet air insufflation to his rectum by the coworkers at his workplace. Radiological imaging showed high volume pneumoperitoneum. Exploratory laparotomy revealed extensive serosal lacerations. Postoperatively, the patient was discharged with uneventful recovery.

Keywords: Colon injury, barotrauma, tension pneumoperitoneum