Spontaneous rupture of the distal large bowel

ABSTRACT

Six new cases of spontaneous rupture of the normal distal large bowel are described and 19 cases from the literature are reviewed, bringing the total of the recorded cases to 25. The aetiology of these cases is discussed. The ruptures occur in the region of the pelvi-rectal junction, in the sigmoid loop, and in the upper rectum. The tear is considered to be mechanical in origin and to be due to a sudden rise in intraluminar pressure which results from sudden obstruction during active peristalsis. Rupture may occur quite spontaneously but is more likely to occur in the presence of constipation and during def‘cation. The diagnosis, treatment, and mortality are also discussed. (Summary)