title: Colostomy vs tube cecostomy for protection of a low anastomosis in rectal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Symptomatic anastomotic leakage is the most important surgical complication following rectal resection with intestinal anastomosis. Therefore, the routine use of a protective stoma is suggested by several authors. In our department 2 different techniques are performed to protect the anastomosis. Patients receive either a loop colostomy/ileostomy (C/I) or a tube cecostomy (TC).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  No significant difference is noted between C/I and TC for protection of a low anastomosis regarding clinical anastomotic leakage rate, reoperation rate for anastomotic leaks/fistulas, postoperative mortality, and permanent colostomy rate. By avoiding a second operation (for colostomy closure), median hospital stay should be significantly reduced.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review during 1985 to 1997.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary care center
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred fifty-eight patients who had undergone anterior resections for rectal cancer were studied. Protective C/Is were used in 19 patients; a TC was fashioned in 30 patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical anastomotic leakage rate, reoperation rate for anastomotic leaks/fistulas, postoperative mortality, permanent colostomy rate, and median hospital stay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rate of anastomotic leaks (C/I, 16%; TC, 17%), fecal peritonitis (C/I, 0%; TC, 10%), reoperation for anastomotic leaks/fistulas (C/I, 0%; TC, 13%), permanent colostomies (C/I, 0%; TC, 7%), and postoperative mortality (C/I, 5%; TC, 0%) did not differ significantly in both groups. Median hospital stay was significantly reduced in patients with TC (C/I, 28 days; TC, 15 days).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our patients with low resections for rectal cancer, a C/I for protection of the anastomosis did not improve outcome significantly as compared with a TC. With a properly fashioned TC and adequate postoperative management a second operation (for colostomy closure) can be avoided and the overall hospital stay is significantly reduced.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Innsbruck, Austria. joerg.tschmelitsch@uibk.ac.at
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tschmelitsch
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wykypiel
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Prommegger
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bodner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D002431:Cecostomy; D003125:Colostomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation