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Published:
Mar 25, 2004Keywords:
Colostomy complications children
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Colostomy complications in children
Abstract
Background: Colostomy is a common procedure in children and may be attended by significant morbidity. Method: This is a retrospective study of morbidity and mortality associated with the formation and closure of colostomy in children between 1991 and 2001, at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos, Nigeria.
Results: There were 116 children with a median age of 3 weeks (range: one day 14 years). The male: female ratio was 2:1. The indications for colostomy were Hirschsprung's disease 68 (58.6%), anorectal malformations 44 (37.9%) and trauma to the rectum 4(3.5%). A total of 122 complications occurred in 62(53%) patients after colostomy formation. The commonest complication was excoriative dermatitis 46(74.2%), followed by prolapse 24(38.7%) and wound infection. Difference in complications between transverse and sigmoid colostomies was statistically significant (P< 0.05). One hundred and eight (93.1%) children had intraperitoneal closure of colostomy, 21 (19.4%) of who developed surgical site sepsis. The overall mortality was 16 (13.8%), exclusively from colostomy closure.
Conclusion: Colostomy-related procedures in children are associated with high morbidity and mortality in our environment. Improved health care delivery may improve the present outcome. Colostomy-related operations should not be relegated to minor importance.
Keywords: Colostomy, complications, children
Vol.2(1) 2003: 9-12
Results: There were 116 children with a median age of 3 weeks (range: one day 14 years). The male: female ratio was 2:1. The indications for colostomy were Hirschsprung's disease 68 (58.6%), anorectal malformations 44 (37.9%) and trauma to the rectum 4(3.5%). A total of 122 complications occurred in 62(53%) patients after colostomy formation. The commonest complication was excoriative dermatitis 46(74.2%), followed by prolapse 24(38.7%) and wound infection. Difference in complications between transverse and sigmoid colostomies was statistically significant (P< 0.05). One hundred and eight (93.1%) children had intraperitoneal closure of colostomy, 21 (19.4%) of who developed surgical site sepsis. The overall mortality was 16 (13.8%), exclusively from colostomy closure.
Conclusion: Colostomy-related procedures in children are associated with high morbidity and mortality in our environment. Improved health care delivery may improve the present outcome. Colostomy-related operations should not be relegated to minor importance.
Keywords: Colostomy, complications, children
Vol.2(1) 2003: 9-12
