Stoma closure and wound infection: an evaluation of risk factors

Abstract

Objective: To assess the infection rate in the nonstoma wound in patients who undergo stoma closure.

Design: Chart review.

Setting: A tertiary-care hospital.

Patients: Ninety-five patients who underwent elective closure of an abdominal wall stoma requiring a separate abdominal incision.

Interventions: Elective general surgery procedures.

Main outcome measure: Wound infection rate.

Results: The overall wound infection rate was 29%. Primary wound closure was associated with a markedly increased wound infection rate (41%) compared with delayed primary or secondary wound closure (15%). No other preoperative factor specifically predicted a high rate of postoperative nonstoma wound infection.

Conclusions: The nonstoma wound during elective closure of an abdominal stoma is at high risk for infection postoperatively. Delayed primary or secondary closure may lessen this risk.