대한대장항문학회

Hydrogen peroxide is commonly used for cleansing superficial wounds, because of its<br>antimicrobial action attributed to oxidizing capacity. The release of oxygen doping<br>oxidation results in effervescence, which promotes a weak mechanical means of<br>removing tissue debris. In the past, hydrogen peroxide was used for the management of<br>meconium ileum and for fecal impaction because liberated oxygen tend to break up<br>impaction and initiate peristaltic reflex. However, the stronger solution has a caustic<br>action. The potential dangers of hydrogen peroxide enema were not so well known until<br>1950s when Pumphery recognized deleterious effects from such enema. During 1980s,<br>hydrogen peroxide was used for disinfection of endoscope and several authors reported<br>peroxide-induced colitis.<br>We report a case of hydrogen peroxide induced chemical colitis in a 47-year-old man,<br>who complained bloody stools and tenesmus after introducing hydrogen peroxide<br>soaked gauss into the rectum to relieve pruritus am. Colonoscopy demonstrated diffuse<br>erythema, edema and friability of rectal mucosa upto 6-7 cm from anal verge. The<br>proximal margin of the lesion was well demarcated from normal appearing mucosa.<br>Mucosal biopsy revealed histologic findings compatible with ischemic changes. His<br>symptoms improved rapidly with conservative treatment.<br>