Colostomy closure is associated with a high morbidity and mortality rates. The risk factors are: the technical conditions at the first procedure, the utilized technique to close the colostomy and the patient status. Our goal is to retrospectively analyze the demographics of the patients who underwent colostomy closure at our institution in a four year period, (2001-2004). Seventy patients were included (66% males, 34% females), with a median age of 42,5 years old. A Hartmann colostomy was closed in 32 patients (45,7%) and an end-to-end anastomosis was performed in 49 patients (70%). Complications occurred in 38 patients (54%) and included ileus (11,4%), PONV (21%), diarrhea (7,1%) and fever (7,1%). The surgical complications were wound infection (11,4%), aponeurosis dehiscense (5,7%), small bowel evisceration ( 2,8%), anastomotic leak (2,8%) and intracavitary abscess (1,4%). There were no deaths. CONCLUSION: Colostomy closure is associated with high morbidity rate. It is important a very careful indication for colostomy at the first operation.
colon; colostomy; reconstruction; postoperative complications; morbidity
