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ILEOSTOMY CLOSURE WITHOUT CONTRAST STUDY IS SAFE IN SELECTED PATIENTS
Author(s) -
Cowan Timothy,
Hill Andrew G.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2005.03369.x
Subject(s) - medicine , ileostomy , anastomosis , surgery , rectum , colorectal surgery , retrospective cohort study , radiological weapon , sepsis , radiology , general surgery , abdominal surgery
Background: Following anterior resection of the rectum it is common to defunction the anastomosis with an ileostomy. Prior to closure of this, a contrast study is usually performed to check for healing. Several patients at our institution have not undergone a contrast study prior to closure. The present study aimed to compare outcome in this group with patients who had undergone contrast radiology. Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing anterior resection with an ileostomy was performed. We only included those patients who had a straight colorectal/coloanal anastomosis that could be examined clinically and had a smooth postoperative course with no evidence of pelvic sepsis. Results: Fifty‐nine patients fulfilled the criteria for the study. Thirty‐five patients had a contrast study. These showed two leaks and five strictures. The anastomosis was 0−7 cm from the anal verge in 31 patients (16 contrast studies). It was above 7 cm in 28 patients (19 contrast studies). No patient had pelvic sepsis after ileostomy reversal. Conclusions: In patients with an ileostomy following anterior resection, with a clinically examinable anastomosis and a smooth postoperative course, a radiological examination of the anastomosis prior to ileostomy closure appears unnecessary.