Slovenská chirurgia 3/2022

Colon barotrauma caused by compressed air − a case report

Barotrauma is damage to body tissues or organs caused by high air pressure. Careless use of compressed air to clean dirt from the surface of the body, even through a protective layer of clothing, can lead to damage to internal organs. Directing the stream of compressed air to the anal area leads to serious injuries to the anus and colon. Barotrauma of the large intestine includes injuries that can vary from the mild degree of “cat scratch” type (iatrogenic injury during colonoscopy) to the severe form, which is perforation of the large intestine. The authors present a case report of a patient who suffered barotrauma with colon damage requiring extensive surgery.

Keywords: barotrauma, colon