Doctors save male patient with crushed colon caused by traffic accident

On December 5, Dong Nai 2 Hospital reported that doctors had performed an emergency colonoscopy to stop internal bleeding in a patient who suffered a ruptured blood vessel in the colon due to blunt abdominal trauma from a traffic accident, helping him avoid major open surgery.

Endoscopy helps the patient avoid an open surgery. Photo: Bich Nhan

According to reports, the male patient, N.H.T. (38, residing in Long Binh Ward, Dong Nai Province), was admitted to the hospital with severe abdominal pain and diarrhea containing a large amount of fresh blood.

T stated that approximately 10 hours before arriving at Dong Nai 2 Hospital, he had been involved in a traffic accident and had undergone a medical check-up at a medical facility. However, no abnormalities were detected at the time, and he was discharged.

After returning home, his symptoms worsened, with increasing pain and the onset of rectal bleeding. His family immediately brought him to the emergency department of Dong Nai 2 Hospital. Following a physical examination and diagnostic tests, including an abdominal CT scan and blood tests, doctors determined that he had sustained a crush injury to the right colon and cecum, leading to significant blood loss and severe anemia.

Dr. Cao Viet Due, Specialist Level I and Head of the Functional Exploration Department, decided to perform an emergency colonoscopy to stop the bleeding instead of open abdominal surgery, which would have required removing the damaged section of the colon.

According to Dr. Due, blunt abdominal trauma from traffic accidents is extremely dangerous because internal organ injuries may not be immediately apparent and can progress silently. Therefore, after substantial impacts, falls, or workplace accidents, even when there are no visible external wounds, patients must remain vigilant and not take the situation lightly.

By Bich Nhan – Translated by Thu Hien, Minho