The morbidity of defunctioning stomata.
BACKGROUND
The choice of a defunctioning stoma in restorative resection of rectal carcinoma is unclear. Traditionally, the loop colostomy has been preferred.


METHODS
All patients with either a defunctioning loop ileostomy or colostomy treated by a single surgeon (MS) were studied. The morbidity of stoma construction and closure, as well as problems experienced in the intervening period, were entered on a database.


RESULTS
No significant difference in the morbidity of closure was noted when loop ileostomy was compared to loop colostomy. Although a trend favouring loop ileostomy was noted when interval morbidity was examined, this difference was not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Loop colostomy and ileostomy are both effective in defunctioning the distal colon following a restorative resection for rectal carcinoma. There is some morbidity associated with both but when a stoma is constructed, loop ileostomy is preferable. The loop ileostomy is generally easier to manage and is not associated with a greater rate of complications (in its construction and closure) than the loop colostomy.
Chen
F
F
Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio, USA.
Stuart
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003125:Colostomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*