Early vs. delayed closure of temporary covering ileostomy: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
Temporary loop ileostomies constructed to protect distal anastomoses are generally closed at 8 to 12 weeks, a period long enough to encounter stoma-related complications, which reduces the quality of life. Early closure may be considered to overcome these adverse effects. This prospective study was designed to investigate the reliability of early closure of loop ileostomies.


METHODS
Fifty consecutive patients were sequentially distributed either to group A (delayed closure) or group B (early closure). Anastomotic integrity was examined before closure in all patients.


RESULTS
There were 25 patients in each group who were comparable in terms of age, sex, comorbid conditions, primary pathology, and tumor stage. Early closure was achieved in 88% (n=22) of the patients in group B. Stoma-related complications were significantly greater in group A patients (44% vs. 16%) (p<0.05) while the complications following closure were similar in both groups (16% vs. 8%) (p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Early closure during the same hospital admission produces less stoma-related complications with similar accomplishment as the late closure. Early closure of temporary ileostomy is recommended in suitable patients without anastomotic complications.
Haydarpasa Numune Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Osman
O
Krand
Tunc
T
Yalti
Ibrahim
I
Berber
Gurkan
G
Tellioglu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors