Najamuddin Shabbir, Zahid Ali Memon, Misbah Nizami, Riazuddin Khanzada.
Colostomy related complications.
Pak J Surg Jan ;24(2):102-4.

Objective: To study the morbidity and mortality of colostomy formation in our setup. Design & Duration: Prospective, case series from June to November 2007. Setting: Darul Sehat Hospital, SESSI Landhi Hospital and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. Patients: Fifty patients who underwent emergency or elective surgery for various abdominal pathologies and end up in any sort of colostomy were included in this study. Methodology: A detailed history of every patient was taken and clinical examination performed. Apart from baseline investigations all patients underwent ultrasound abdomen; in elective cases barium studies, CT scan, MRI and endo- scopy was done on merit. The decision regarding colostomy formation and its nature was taken at the time of surgery, though a written informed consent for possible colostomy formation was taken pre-operatively, as per hospital protocol, rules and regulations. A special proforma was designed for the study; all findings were entered in it, compiled and analyzed. Results: Amongst the total 50 patients, there were 38 males and 12 females; the male to female ratio being 3.17:1. In the majority of patients a temporary colostomy (74%) was made, and on the left side (70%). The overall morbidity was 24%, retraction and stenosis being common complications. The overall mortality was 4%. Conclusions: Colostomy is a major undertaking, associated with considerable morbidity and rare mortality. It is most commonly performed for the purpose of decompression, drainage, diversion and protection of an anastomosis for colorectal trauma and intestinal obstruction in emergency, and colorectal neoplasms in elective cases. Wound infection, skin irritation, retraction, stenosis and prolapse are common complications; the rate of complications being higher in emergency operations, children and elderly.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com