A comparison of the results of extraperitoneal and intraperitoneal techniques for construction of terminal iliac colostomies.

In a series of 251 patients followed for at least two years after abdominoperineal excision for carcinoma of the rectum, those given extraperitoneal iliac colostomies were found to have significantly lower incidences of pericolostomy herniation, prolapse, and recession than those given intraperitoneal colostomies. There was no difference between the frequencies of mechanical intestinal obstruction.