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Rectal gangrene: a complication of phosphate enema
Author(s) -
Sweeney James L.,
Hewett Peter,
Riddell Peter,
Hoffmann Desmond C.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1986.tb115928.x
Subject(s) - gangrene , complication , medicine , surgery , enema , rectum , gas gangrene , general surgery
Three cases of rectal gangrene are reported. All cases were compromised with intercurrent illnesses and all patients had complicated haemorrhoids before the gangrene developed. Rectal gangrene as a complication of haemorrhoids is rare and, whereas reports have suggested that this complication is due to nozzle injury, we believe that it may be due to a direct necrotizing effect of the phosphate on the rectum. We no longer recommend its use in compromised patients.