[Enema-induced intestinal perforation. A case report].

Constipation is a frequent clinical condition in pediatric age, with a low frequency of evacuation and emission of voluminous and hardened stools. In the most serious cases enemas became necessary, and are usually carriedout without trouble. Nevertheless, traumatic events of great importance can take place, leading the patient to urgent surgical observation. The clinical case of a girl suffering from birth from chronic constipation is reported. The girl underwent a colostomy according to Mikulitz's technique on the descending colon, due to a rectal perforation induced during an enema. After the re-canalisation and the contemporaneous resection of 18 cm of the dolicho-sigmoid colon (which was most likely the cause of chronic constipation) the girl presented a normal defecatory rhythm.