Objective: A diverting loop ileostomy was previously considered mandatory for minimizing the effects of septic complications in pelvic pouch surgery. During the past decade there has been a trend towards omission of the loop ileostomy without obvious signs of increased numbers of pouch complications or impaired long-term function. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the risk of complications associated with the construction and closure of the loop ileostomy itself.
Patients and methods: Complications following diverting loop ileostomies in 143 patients subjected to restorative pelvic pouch surgery during the period 1983-97 were studied retrospectively by evaluation of case records.
Results: In the period between discharge after pelvic pouch surgery and closure of the loop ileostomy, 20 (14%) patients were hospitalized because of excessive stoma flow and 19 (13%) patients were treated for other surgical complications, of whom 10 (7%) required surgical intervention. In the early postoperative period (within 30 days) after closure of the loop ileostomy, 18 (13%) patients suffered complications necessitating surgery. Another 12 (8%) patients were hospitalized because of intestinal obstruction that could be treated conservatively.
Conclusion: The proportion of complications associated with diverting loop ileostomies in pelvic pouch surgery was considerable. A randomised controlled multicentre study is ethically defensible and is recommended.