"Gunsight" skin incision and closure technique for stoma reversal
James T Lim1, Susan M Shedda, Ian P Hayes
1Colorectal Surgery Unit, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. drjamestlim@gmail.com
Background:
Several techniques have been described in the literature for skin closure following stoma reversal. We describe the "gunsight skin closure" technique and highlight its potential advantages.
Method:
Four triangles of skin are excised to enlarge the skin incision. This increases exposure for mobilization of the bowel. The resulting skin wound is approximated with a pursestring suture to give a small, neat scar that allows some central drainage. The final wound resembles a gunsight.
Conclusion:
This method of skin closure allows increased surgical exposure, facilitates creation of a subsequent stoma at the same site, simplifies wound care, and gives a neat cosmetic result.
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