Premium
The unopened loop ileostomy
Author(s) -
Sajda Qureshi,
MacFie
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
colorectal disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.029
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1463-1318
pISSN - 1462-8910
DOI - 10.1046/j.1463-1318.2000.00119.x
Subject(s) - medicine , ileostomy , stoma (medicine) , anastomosis , surgery , general surgery , pseudomembranous colitis , colorectal surgery , abscess , abdominal surgery , clostridium difficile , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , antibiotics
Objective A defunctioning loop ileostomy is often fashioned to protect distal colorectal anastomoses, with the aim of limiting the effect of any breakdown that may occur. However, its creation and subsequent closure may be associated with significant morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the alternative use of an unopened loop ileostomy. Patients and methods Patients undergoing colorectal resection and distal anastomosis were given an unopened loop ileostomy instead of a conventional ileostomy. Any complications associated with the stoma and ease of closure were recorded for each patient. Results Complications occurred in seven (58%) of the 12 patients included in the study. Replacement of the ileal loop was difficult in five patients, one patient developed a wound abscess and pseudomembranous colitis, and a further patient had a persistent post‐operative pyrexia of unknown cause. Conclusion Despite the theoretical advantages of an unopened loop ileostomy, the results of this small study do not support the routine use of such a stoma as an adjunct to high risk colorectal anastomoses.