Abstract

Background: Intestinal stomas are used to divert the fecal stream away from distal bowel in order to allow a distal anastomosis to heal as well as to relieve obstruction in emergency situation. The aim of the present study was to identify indications for emergency laparotomy, commonly performed intestinal stomas and to study complications related to it.

Methods: This is a retrospective study and was carried out in the surgical unit of Mother Teresa University Hospital Center, from January 2017 to August 2018. All patients were admitted through emergency and underwent surgery for various reasons and were followed up to note any complication which resulted in the creation of intestinal stomas, and who fit in to inclusion criteria.

Results: The most common indication for stoma formation was colorectal carcinoma (n=77) followed by sigmoid volvulus (n=16), perforated sigmoid diverticula (n=12), recto-sigmoid perforation by corpus alienum (n=6). A total of 106 patients underwent colostomy formation, of which 85 were end colostomy and 21 were Baguette colostomy. Thirty-one (31) patients underwent ileostomy formation, of which 9 were loop ileostomy and 10 were temporary end ileostomy, one was double barrel ileostomy. Nine (9) cases were treated with jejunostomy and 5 cases with duodenostomy.

Conclusion: Fecal/intestinal diversion remains an effective option to treat a variety of gastrointestinal and abdominal conditions. Stoma formation is the best minimum surgical procedure to save the life in emergency intestinal surgery for obstructive cancer, inflammatory colic disease, anastomotic leaks with low mortality.

Keywords: Intestinal stoma; Fecal diversion; Emergency surgery; DCS (damage control surgery)