Segmental Isolation for Massive Colonic Hemorrhage

THE EXACT site of bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract may be difficult to find at laparotomy or even at autopsy. Although diverticula of the colon have been reported with increasing frequency as the primary source of massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage,^1-5 the paucity of recorded instances in which the actual bleeding site was seen at operation is striking.^2,6-8 Moreover, the increasing reports of colon disease on the right side as responsible for massive hemorrhage^{1,5, 6,9-11} makes accurate localization even more important. This paper is written to reemphasize the value of a simple technique described by Maynard and Vorrhees⁷ for segmental localization of the bleeding point during operation for uncontrolled hemorrhage from the colon. In this way, risk of missed bleeding sites can be minimized and need for massive intestinal resection reduced. A patient in whom this method was successfully employed is cited.

Report of a Case  A