The unopened colostomy: a procedure to protect colonic anastomosis.
The results of an alternative to the classic diverting lateral colostomy when used to protect a high risk anastomosis are reported. Fourteen out of 122 patients undergoing colonic or colorectal resection had a restoration of intestinal continuity with a proximal closed loop colostomy--of these 11 did not require opening in the immediate post-operative period. These had an uneventful early post-operative course, and the return of the colostomy to the abdominal cavity was performed within 10 days post-operatively, without having been opened. In three cases where local or general complications occurred, the opening of the colonic loop led to the creation of a conventional temporary protective colostomy. This procedure allowed a reduction of the originally planned number of colostomies by 50%.
Service de Chirurgie Digestive et Générale, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Hospices Civils, France.
F
F
Vaxman
C
C
Ionescu
P
P
Volkmar
O
O
Pambou
J F
JF
Grenier
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D003125:Colostomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged