COLON injuries have long been of great interest to surgeons. This interest was probably stimulated by the very poor results associated with these injuries. As long as people continue to quarrel and live dangerously, these wounds will have a place of importance. Colon injuries are one of the commonest problems seen in large metropolitan hospitals, and in recent years treatment has been a subject of some question. There are those who advocate primary closure in nearly all civilian colon injuries while others think that all injuries should be treated by exteriorization or by colostomy decompression. This debate stems from the fact that most civilian injuries are secondary to low-velocity missiles which cause much less peripheral damage. This is a review of the development in the treatment of colon injuries and a discussion of the management of 266 patients who suffered 302 injuries to the colon. A list of significant reports