Closure of loop ileostomy

Data from prospective, randomized trials exist to support loop ileostomy as the stoma of choice for the protection of low pelvic anastomoses. It effectively defunctions the distal bowel, is associated with fewer complications than loop colostomy and is preferred by patients when compared with loop colostomy because it is less likely to prolapse or herniate, the effluent has less odour and the stoma can be sited accurately before operation for greater patient comfort than loop colostomy. However, closure of loop ileostomy has a reported morbidity rate of 10-30 per cent with small bowel obstruction accounting for 5-20 per cent of complications and many surgeons prefer loop colostomy for this reason. Recent reports suggest a stapled side-to-side anastomosis may be associated with a reduction in complication rate. The aim of this study was to audit results for the closure of loop ileostomy using a novel, totally stapled modification of a recently described technique.