title: Laparostomy for severe intra-abdominal infection complicating colorectal disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of laparostomy in the management of patients with severe intra-abdominal infection resulting from colorectal disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven patients, four with inflammatory bowel disease, two with colorectal carcinoma, and one with diverticular perforation, underwent laparostomy during a six-year period for postoperative, severe, intra-abdominal infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median age was 42 years, the mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was 22.7, and the observed mortality was 28.6 percent (2/7 patients). In one patient the laparostomy was closed at 11 days; in all the others the wound was left to heal by granulation and contraction, and two of these later required reconstructive surgery. The median follow-up was three years and seven months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparostomy is an effective and practical method of managing patients with severe intra-abdominal infection as a result of colorectal disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Colorectal Surgery, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Thompson-Fawcett
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Kettlewell
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garrard
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Mortensen
mesh_terms: D018806:APACHE; D018784:Abdominal Abscess / Q000628:therapy*; D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery; D003082:Colectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D003125:Colostomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D004241:Diverticulum, Colon / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010030:Ostomy / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D012810:Sigmoid Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D012811:Sigmoid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D015996:Survival Rate; D014945:Wound Healing