title: Loop colostomy closure.
abstract: The records of 74 patients who had loop colostomies closed at Addenbrooke's Hospital between 1970 and 1975 were studied retrospectively. One death from a pulmonary embolus occurred and the incidence of fistula from the site of closure was found to be 5.4 per cent. A number of differing factors were assessed. Closure 6 weeks after the colostomy's formation and preoperative antibiotic (antimicrobial) bowel preparation appeared to be factors associated with a favourable outcome. On the other hand, an initial operation for carcinoma and closure less than 6 weeks after the colostomy's formation were factors related to a less favourable outcome.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D003125:Colostomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology