General Surgery Resident Inova Health, United States
Objectives: To evaluate whether early closure of a diverting loop ileostomy (DLI) results in more post-operative complications than later closure.
Methods: A retrospective review was performed on all patients aged >12 years who underwent DLI creation within a single healthcare system between 2012-2020. Post-operative outcomes were compared across ileostomies closed in < 2 months, 2-4 months, and >4 months. Outcomes included anastomotic leak, infection, other complications, reintervention and death within 30 days.
Results: A total of 500 DLIs were included in the study, 455 (91%) of which were closed during the study period. 177 (39%) of the DLIs were closed within two months of creation. The rate of complications, reintervention, and death were not significantly higher in the early closure group.
Conclusion: Early closure of a diverting loop ileostomy is safe as compared to later closure.
