Temporary antimesenteric stomas without a skin bridge in infants.

Thirty-four loop stomas without a tissue bridge were created in 33 infants. Whenever possible, the antimesenteric stoma was fashioned in the laparotomy wound. When a separate incision was used, the lack of a skin bridge resulted in a more cosmetically acceptable scar after closure of the stoma. Complications associated with such stomas and their closure were no greater than for the conventional loop stomas formed over a tissue bridge.