Construction and closure of the transverse loop colostomy.

The clinical courses of 211 patients having transverse loop colostomies performed during the years 1969 to 1980 in the Stockholm region were examined to evaluate problems connected with construction and closure. Forty-seven percent of these stomas became permanent. The morbidity rate for colostomy construction and closure seemed to be independent of the operative techniques used, the underlying disease, and the timing of closure. Thus, early closure (within six to eight weeks after construction) did not affect the local complication rate from the stoma. A meticulous surgical technique is of great importance, and stoma construction and closure is therefore not to be considered a minor operative procedure.