Please take a look at our complete section on coffee enemas for health purposes http://annieappleseedproject.org/coffeeenemas.html Enema-induced perforation of the rectum in chronically constipated patients. Paran H, Butnaru G, Neufeld D, Magen A, Freund U. Department of Surgery A, Meir Hospital, Kfar-Sava, Israel. INTRODUCTION: The use of retrograde irrigation enemas is common in the treatment of chronic constipation, especially in the elderly. Perforation of the rectum and sigmoid colon caused by cleansing enemas, used by chronically constipated patients, has not been previously described. METHODS: We reviewed all patients with colorectal perforations caused by irrigation enemas admitted to our service in the three-year period between January 1995 and December 1997. RESULTS: Thirteen patients were treated by our surgical service because of perforations of the rectum and sigmoid colon related to a previous retrograde irrigation enema. Ten of these patients came from nursing homes, and the other three lived at home. The relevant information relating the enema administration to the patient's condition was given in only two of the ten patients referred to the emergency room by the institution's nursing or medical staff. In the other eight the information was vague and sometimes misleading. The diagnosis of colorectal perforation was made by history, plain abdominal x-rays, and CT scan with or without meglumine diatrizoate enemas. Ten patients survived, regardless of age, previous diseases, or operative findings. In all of them, diagnosis was made within 36 hours from the perforation. The three deaths occurred in patients in whom the diagnosis was made late. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of the possible injury from enemas administered to chronically constipated patients should be stressed. A high degree of suspicion by the attending physician is extremely important, because prompt diagnosis and early surgical treatment carries a relatively good prognosis. Dis Colon Rectum. 1999 Dec;42(12):1609-12. Ann's NOTE: An enema bucket uses a 5 foot plastic tube and a 24" long red rubber catheter which is the only part that enters the colon. It is my 'belief' (not scientifically tested), that this rubber catheter is very unlikely to be a cause of perforated rectums. In using an enema bag, a person inserts a HARD plastic tube. This is probably the cause of perforation. Ulus Travma Derg, 10/03 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.