Revision and closure of the colostomy

Abstract

Reoperative stomal surgery includes the correction of complications and closure of a colostomy. Necrosis, retraction, and stenosis are the most frequently occurring complications and are simply corrected by straightforward techniques. Prolapse of the colostomy and parastomal hernia occur less frequently. Their repair is slightly more complex than that of the previous group of complications. Colostomy closure ranges from simple suture closure of the loop colostomy, through anastomosis of the divided colostomy, to the sometimes difficult gastrointestinal reconstruction after the Hartmann procedure. Death after closure of colostomy is infrequent, but anastomotic complications occur after all types of closure. Leak and sepsis are by far the most frequent anastomotic complications. Stenosis occurs less often. The same degree of care exercised during colectomy and anastomosis is necessary for optimal results after colostomy closure.