Comparison of early and late closure of transverse loop colostomies

A retrospective study was made from the records of 100 consecutive patients who had closure of a temporary transverse colostomy at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, between 1969 and 1982. Thirtyeight colostomies were closed early, approximately 2 weeks after the initial bowel resection and during the same hospital admission. The closure technique in the majority of cases involved resecting the bowel ends and performing a single layer anastomosis with interrupted Supramid. Statistically there was no difference in overall or individual complications, such as faecal fistulae and wound infections, in the early compared with the late colostomy closure group. The length of stay in hospital after closure was almost identical in both groups. This is true despite a higher proportion of operations in the early closure group being performed by less experienced surgeons. Early closure of a temporary colostomy is a relatively safe procedure and has obvious advantages for rehabilitation.