Colostomy closure in post conflict Iraq

Abstract EN

Background : Colostomy minimizes the risk of leakage at expense of requiring a second operation.

In Iraq, published on colostomy closure in penetrating abdominal wall injuries is scarce.

Objective : to Study the prognosis of colostomy closure in post-conflict patients in Iraq.

Method : This is a retrospective study of 52 patients subjected to colostomy closure, recruited for the period 2008 to 2009 from Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital and Children Central Teaching Hospital.

Demographic data and information about colostomy (type, methods of preparation … etc.) were studied.

Results: Trauma was noticed in 57.7 % patients.

Transverse colon was the commonest site of injuries.

The complications were wound infection (19.2 %), fecal fistula (3.8 %), anastomotic leak (1.9 %) and abdominal abscess (1.9 %).

A significant high complication rate was associated with conventional method of preparation, and double layer anastomosis (p = 0.004 rand 0.003, respectively).

Conclusion : the finding were comparable with other centers in the world.

Keywords : colostomy closure, trauma, complication, post-conflict Iraq.