Question:

According to the AAST (American Association for the Surgery of Trauma) Colon Injury Scale, a laceration involving more than 50% of the bowel circumference (without transection) corresponds to which grade?

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Less than 50% circumference is Grade II; more than 50% (no transection) bumps it up one grade.
Updated On: Jun 25, 2026
  • Grade I
  • Grade II
  • Grade III
  • Grade IV
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Recall the AAST Colon Injury Scale.
The AAST organ injury scaling for the colon grades injury by extent of wall involvement and devascularisation:
• Grade I: Contusion/haematoma without devascularisation, or partial-thickness laceration.
&bull; Grade II: Laceration involving <50% of the circumference.
&bull; Grade III: Laceration involving >50% of the circumference (without transection).
&bull; Grade IV: Transection of the colon.
&bull; Grade V: Transection with segmental tissue loss / devascularised segment.

Step 2: Apply to the stem.
The injury described is >50% circumferential laceration without full transection, which maps exactly to Grade III.

Step 3: Eliminate others.
Grade II is <50% circumference, Grade IV is complete transection, and Grade I is contusion/partial-thickness. Hence the answer is Grade III.

Key fact: >50% circumferential colon laceration = AAST Grade III.
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