Silent but Serious: A Case of Colonic Perforation Masquerading as a Persistent Retrorectus Abscess Post Blunt Abdominal Trauma
Abstract
A 21-year-old male presented with fever and abdominal pain 10 days after a minor fall. Imaging revealed pelvic abscess and possible hollow viscus perforation. Laparoscopy identified adhesion of omentum and sigmoid colon with abdominal wall covering a defect of 2x2 with 600 ml pus collection in extra peritoneal retro rectus space necessitating laparotomy. No bowel injury identified, and the patient initially improved. However persistent purulent discharge led to a repeat CECT revealing loculated abscess with air tracking to the skin. Re-exploration revealed sealed colonic perforation. Managed conservatively for a low output enterocutaneous fistula, showed significant improvement.
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