Individual surgeon practice is the most important factor influencing diverting loop ileostomy creation for patients undergoing sigmoid colectomy for diverticulitis.

BACKGROUND

To identify factors associated with diverting ileostomy creation (DLI) in patients undergoing sigmoid colectomy for diverticular disease in a high volume colorectal unit and to obtain information for better preoperative patient counseling.

METHODS

Patients who underwent sigmoid colectomy with colorectal anastomosis with or without DLI for diverticulitis between 01/1994-12/2014 were identified. Preoperative characteristics, surgeon practice year, individual surgeon and postoperative outcomes were compared between patients with DLI or not.

RESULTS

1320 patients were identified and DLI was created in 204 (15.4%) patients. DLI creation was associated with older age (p < 0.001), female gender (p = 0.01), higher ASA-class (p < 0.001), hypertension (p = 0.01), DM(p < 0.001), renal comorbidities (p < 0.001), preoperative steroid use (p = 0.03), preoperative anemia (p = 0.004), and open surgery (p < 0.001). While ileostomy creation rates did not vary over the years during the study period or with increased surgeons' experience, surgeon identity had significant impact on ileostomy creation (Rate range 6.8-60.7%, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that individual surgeon, open approach, preoperative steroid use, and disease-related factors remained independently associated with DLI creation.

CONCLUSION

Individual surgeon's practice affects the rate of diverting ileostomy creation in patients undergoing sigmoid colectomy for diverticular disease.