Enterostomy in infancy and childhood : high incidence of complications

Abstract EN

a number of gastrointestinal disorders in infancy and childhood may require the formation of an enterostomy as a crucial part of the treatment of the disease itself.

In this study the author tried to characterize the type and incidence of complication related to enterostomy foration in infancy and childhood 44 enterostomies in infants and children and 40 consccutivc enterostomy closure done from February 1999 to February 2002 in 3 hospitals.

This includes colostomies, jejunostomies, Jleostomics and mlickulicz procedures.

Indications for oterostomy were an necrotizing entrocolitis in 11 patients, Hirschsprungis disease 22 patients high imperforate anus in 5 patients, intestinal atresia in 2 patients and meconiu!n ileus in 1 patient.

Seventy nine percent of stoma were performed in the first year of life.

The most serious implications were prolapse, stenosis, retraction, intestinal obstruction and skin dehiscence.

In 8.8% of patients with ileostomies, fluid loss via the stoma exceeding 1000 ml in 24 hours was observed.

this study demonstrates that 17% of stoma complications required an operative treatment.

Enterostomy formation and closure in pediatric age group with se^er underlying disease is still associated with substantial morbidity and should not be considered a minor procedure.