Fatal colorectal injury by compressed air through anal insufflation

Abstract

Compressed air is a concentrated stream of air at high pressure and it is released through a narrow pipe with high speed that can cause  fatal injuries if it is not handled appropriately. Rectal perforation by foreign bodies and iatrogenic injuries during colonoscopy is  known, however barotrauma by compressed air is less often encountered. The case herein reported is that of a victim who presented  with the history of insertion of a compressed air tube into the anus by his friends. The patient had severe abdominal pain and on  examination, there was a distension involving the lower abdomen with the diffuse tenderness.