Closing a temporary ileostomy within two weeks.
Temporary ileostomy is frequently constructed to relieve a rectal anastomosis and avoid peritonitis if the anastomosis is leaking. Ostomy is a burden for both the patient and society and early closure is therefore desirable to counteract increased morbidity. Several prospective studies and a single randomized controlled trial have shown that closure in less than two weeks was associated with lower or equal morbidity compared with later closure. Thus, current data support early closure of temporary ileostomy performed to cover rectal anastomosis in routine clinical practice.
Department of Surgery, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2730 Herlev, Denmark. tommyhindenburg@gmail.com
Tommy
T
Hindenburg
Jacob
J
Rosenberg
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing