Closure of colostomy—A safe procedure?

Abstract
A retrospective survey of a series of 73 patients undergoing closure of colostomy was carried out. Closure was complicated in 37.8% of cases, and fecal fistulas occurred in 17.6%. The overall mortality rate of the procedure was 2.7%. The underlying disease (carcinoma or diverticulitis) did not influence the complication rate. Intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal methods of closure appeared equally satisfactory. Closure of colostomy within 1 mo. of construction was associated with an unacceptably high incidence of fecal fistula of 33%.

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