[Morbidity and mortality associated to loop colostomy and ileostomy closure].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the morbidity and mortality of operations for closure of loop colostomies and ileostomies. METHODS We analyzed epidemiological data, postoperative complications, morbidity and mortality of patients who underwent operations for closure of loop colostomies and ileostomies. We excluded patients whose data could not be obtained from the files and operations that required laparotomy for closure. RESULTS 88 patients were operated on, five being excluded. We evaluated the data of 83 patients, 56 patients with colostomies (group C) and 27 with ileostomies (group I). Males predominated in both groups (C = 71.9% and I = 57.7%). In group C the most common indication for making the stoma was abdominal trauma (43.9%) and in group I it was protecting a colorectal anastomosis (57.6%). The rate of anastomotic dehiscence in group C was 3.5% and in group I 19.2%. Morbidity was higher in group I than in group C (30.7% vs. 12.2%). There was one death in group I. CONCLUSION The study suggests that morbidity associated with stoma closure is high, being higher in patients with loop ileostomy.