Traumatic injury to the colon can be graded using the Colon Injury Scale.
Type of Injury
Extent
Grade
hematoma or contusion
without devascularization
I
laceration
partial thickness of wall without perforation
I
< 50% of circumference
II
>= 50% of circumference but not transected
III
transection
IV
transection with segmental tissue loss
V
where:
• No grade is given for hematoma or contusion with devascularization. If the small bowel and rectum injury scales can be used as guides, this would be Grade V.
If there are multiple injuries, then the final grade is increased by 1 up to Grade III.
where:
• I am assuming Grade II can be raised to Grade III but not Grade III to Grade IV.
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