title: A technique for wound closure that minimizes sepsis after stoma closure.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Leicester General Hospital, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom. chrisdsutton@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Christopher Derek
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Sutton
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Leslie-Jayne
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: Geraint
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.forename: William Michael
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: 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