On February 10, Vietnam’s Viet Duc Hospital reported a rare case of a 18-year-old male suffering a ruptured colon due to a reckless act. The incident occurred when the patient was working at a feed mill in Van Giang, Hung Yen, and was playfully targeted by a coworker with a high-pressure air hose, typically used for drying purposes. After being exposed to the air blast, the patient experienced severe abdominal pain and was rushed to the hospital by friends.
Introduction
The young man, from the Mong ethnic group in Ha Giang province, faced serious complications as a result of this dangerous prank. This incident underscores the severe consequences of a lack of understanding about the digestive system and the risks associated with improper use of high-pressure equipment.
Main Content
Patient Condition Upon Admission
Dr. Le Nhat Huy, Deputy Director of the Colorectal and Perianal Surgery Center at Viet Duc Hospital, stated that the patient arrived at the hospital in critical condition with severe abdominal pain and rigid abdominal muscles.
Playing with a high-pressure air hose caused colon rupture – 1
“Imaging revealed abnormal distension of the colon. The patient was diagnosed with generalized peritonitis due to a perforated colon and required emergency surgery,” Dr. Huy explained.
Upon opening the abdomen, doctors found multiple tears in the colon, most severely affecting the sigmoid colon near the rectum. Additionally, there was significant internal bleeding and necrosis of the colon lining, with the abdomen filled with bloody fluid, indicating the spread of infection throughout the abdominal cavity.
Treatment Approach
Doctors had to surgically remove the damaged and necrotic sigmoid colon, suture the perforations, and create a temporary colostomy. After ten days of treatment, the patient was discharged but will require a second surgery in approximately six months to close the colostomy and restore natural bowel function.
Doctor’s Warning
Dr. Huy warned that such acts of recklessness can have severe consequences. At the hospital, they have previously treated cases where patients attempted to relieve constipation or cleanse their systems by injecting substances like water or coffee grounds into their rectums, leading to perforations, severe infections, and even death.
One notable case involved a 66-year-old woman who, due to constipation, injected water into her rectum, causing a perforation. Despite emergency surgery, she did not survive due to septic shock and severe poisoning from retained feces.
“People should never inject fluids or gases into their rectums using any high-pressure devices, whether for treating constipation, detoxification, or pranks, as it poses a very dangerous risk of colon rupture,” Dr. Huy advised.
Conclusion
Using high-pressure equipment to spray or inject substances into the rectum is not only irrational but also extremely dangerous. Such actions can cause severe injuries, including colon perforation, infections, and even death. Therefore, people should avoid these hazardous behaviors and seek safe and scientific methods to address health issues.
Call a doctor or visit the nearest healthcare facility immediately if you experience severe abdominal pain, discomfort, or unusual gastrointestinal symptoms.
