Postoperative complications of reversal of loop ileostomy

OBJECTIVES: To determine the morbidity associated with reversal of loop ileostomies. METHODS: This was a prospective interventional study conducted at Liaquat University Hospital Jamshoro, from September 2005 to August 2007. All patients who had their loop ileostomies reversed during the study period were included. The various postoperative complications were noted during postoperative hospital stay. RESULT: Seventy-nine patients fulfilled the selection criteria during the study period. Typhoid perforation was most common indication of loop ileostomy construction and reversal account for more than three-fourth of all cases majority of them were males (75.94%). Mean interval for ileostomy reversal was 90 days. Thirteen patients (15.6%) developed postoperative complications after reversal of loop ileostomy, most of these were settled on conservative treatment. Postoperative wound infection (9.6%) was the most common complication. Only four patients (4.8%) had surgical intervention to manage these complications CONCLUSION: Loop ileostomy reversal is associated with low morbidity.