Retrospective analysis of long-term defunctioning stoma complications after colorectal surgery

Defunctioning stoma is a common surgical procedure, but the choice of stoma remains controversial. The preference for colostomy or ileostomy depends on the type of surgery and on the surgeon who performs the procedure. Stoma reversal is often performed a few weeks after colorectal resection but few studies have analysed the long-term complications of different types of stoma. This study aims to determine which type of stoma is associated with a lower rate of long-term complications.

A retrospective study of patients undergoing colorectal surgery from 1998 to 2004 with stoma creation after was conducted. Only patients followed up by our enterostomal therapist for a minimum of 3 months were included. Both emergency and elective procedures were considered. All stoma-related complications were recorded. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-test were used for statistical analysis (Reviewer 2, n. 5).

132 patients were considered suitable for the analysis. Patients were divided into loop ileostomy (44), loop colostomy (77) and end colostomy (11) group. Mean age was 68 years. Mean follow up was 4 months (range: 3-23). The overall complication rate was 60%. The most common complication included dermatitis, parastomal hernia, leakage and stenosis. The stoma with the lowest complications rate was end colostomy (P = 0.026). Age <68 years was significantly associated with less complications (P = 0.01). Indication for surgery, emergency procedure, gender, morbidity and preoperative site were not significant factors.

In this long term follow-up study, end colostomy and younger patients had a lower incidence of complications. A large prospective trial is needed to confirm our results.