Abstract

Acute diarrhea is caused by many situations such as infections, drugs, autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiency, ischemia and toxins. In addition, enema induced-colitis also causes acute diarrhea. Damage to the colon has been reported after exposure to a number of rectally administered agents, the better known of which are soaps and detergents used as cleansing enemas. Soap enemas cause corrosive colitis due to the saponification reaction as well as toxic materials. We report two cases of acute colitis induced by soap enemas administered in preparation for cesarean sections. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2008; 37:453-458)

• Keywords: Acute diarrhea, Soap enemas, Acute colitis