title: Complications following closure of loop ileostomy.
abstract: The morbidity and mortality of 50 patients undergoing closure of loop ileostomy was reviewed. The patients had a mean age of 57.9 years and significant intercurrent disease. There were no in-hospital deaths or anastomotic leakage at the site of closure. Small bowel obstruction occurred in 12% of patients, all of whom responded to conservative treatment. The wound infection rate was 14%, but the development of a wound infection did not result in a significantly longer hospital stay. We conclude that, when a careful technique of sharp dissection is used, closure of a loop ileostomy is associated with an acceptably low incidence of complications even in elderly and often unwell patients.
authors.affiliation: University of Sydney, Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Concord Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Goodwin
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Chapuis
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Bokey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy; D015994:Incidence; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology