A technique for wound closure that minimizes sepsis after stoma closure.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the present study was to assess the incidence of wound sepsis following closure of ileostomies and colostomies in our institution.


METHODS
Circumferential subcuticular wound approximation was used in 51 patients in our institution. Evidence of wound sepsis (assessed by the presence of cellulitis, induration and or purulent discharge) was documented both in the postoperative period and in outpatient follow-up.


RESULTS
A wound infection rate of 0% was achieved, both in the immediate postoperative period and upon 6-week follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Circumferential subcuticular wound approximation is, therefore, a safe and efficacious technique for dealing with the skin wound after stomal closure, virtually abolishing wound sepsis.
Sutton
Christopher Derek
CD
Department of Surgery, Leicester General Hospital, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom. chrisdsutton@hotmail.com
Williams
Nigel
N
Marshall
Leslie-Jayne
LJ
Lloyd
Geraint
G
Thomas
William Michael
WM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003125:Colostomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018805:Sepsis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013536:Suture Techniques