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Rupture of the bowel

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Rupture of the small bowel is generally treated by simple closure of the defect.

Rupture of the large bowel may be closed in a similar manner. Some centres draw up a colostomy primarily, with the definitive repair occurring later.

The exception to the rule is duodenal damage:

  • rupture of the duodenum is often diagnosed late
  • simple closure has a high complication rate
  • an alternative strategy involves division of the duodenum with closure of the ends and the formation of a gastro-enterostomy

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