title: Colostomy closure: still a hazardous procedure.
abstract: Seventy nine patients with closure of a loop (51 patients) or a terminal (28 patients) colostomy were reviewed retrospectively. Operative mortality was 2.5%. Wound infection in 19% and anastomotic breakdown in 7.7% were the most important postoperative complications. Restoring continuity after a Hartmann intervention, closure of left sided colostomies and early closure (before 12 weeks) all accounted for a statistically significant higher complication rate, while age and sex, the underlying disease, bowel preparation and the method of closure had no influence on the operative outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Academic Hospital V.U.B., Belgium.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hubens
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Minten
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hubens
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Willems
mesh_terms: D003125:Colostomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012086:Reoperation; D012307:Risk Factors; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013997:Time Factors