[Colostomy morbidity in children with anorectal malformations (ARM)]

Abstract

Objective: To describe the incidence and type of complications presented in the patients with ARM treated with a colostomy.

Material and methods: The patients data with diagnostic of ARM and colostomy beetween 1994 and 2005 were revised.

Results: The colostomy was carried out in other centers in 185 patients (75.2%) and in our institution in 61 (24.8%). Two hundred eleven (85.8%) had a sigmoid colostomy. Only 124 patients had a diverting colostomy. Sigmoid colon was erroneously used as transverse in 2 cases. The space among the ostomies was very scarce in 10 and excessive in 5. The colostomy complications were retraction in 7, prolapse in 7, closure of the distal opening in 5, proximal stenosis in 3, ostomy necrosis in 1 and the paraostomal hernia in 2. Complications related to the colostomy closure were intestinal occlusion in 1, abscess of abdominal wall in 1 and incisional hernia in 2.

Conclusions: The colostomy morbidity in patients with ARM is flashy. This procedure should not be considered a procedure of little complexity by the implications that has in the treatment of the patients with ARM.