Digital rectal examination for initial assessment of the multi-injured patient: Can we depend on it?

摘要

BackgroundDigital rectal examination (DRE) is part of the assessment of trauma patients as recommended by ATLS^®. The theory behind is to aid early diagnosis of potential lower intestinal, urethral and spinal cord injuries. Previous studies suggest that test characteristics of DRE are far from reliable. This study examines the correlation between DRE findings and diagnosis and whether DRE findings affect subsequent management.