OBJECTIVETo analyze the complications of ileostomy closure and related risk factors.

METHODSPatients undergoing ileostomy closure in the Department of Colorectal Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital from September 2006 to March 2013 were included in this study. Clinical features of these patients were reviewed, the complications rate was calculated, and univariate and multivariate analyses with regard to the risk factors of surgical site infection(SSI) were also conducted.

RESULTSA total of 245 consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. Thirty-nine complications were observed in thirty-three patients, the overall complication rate was 13.5%. Complication after primary closure of defunctioning ileostomy included surgical site infection (n=21, 8.6%), ileus (n=8, 3.3%), preoperatively undiagnosed anastomotic leakage or rectovaginal fistula (n=5, 2.0%), pulmonary infection (n=2, 0.8%), and anal sphincter dysfunction (n=2, 0.8%). No patient died in the perioperative period, and 5 patients (2.0%) underwent reoperation for ileus (n=3), anastomotic leakage (n=1) and rectovaginal fistula (n=1). Multivariate analysis showed that postoperative complications [OR=10.576, 95%CI:2.898-38.597, P=0.000] and total operation time>90 min[OR=4.862, 95% CI:1.758-13.451, P=0.002] were independent risk factors of SSI, and the presence of subcutaneous vacuum drainage [OR=0.063, 95%CI:0.007-0.540, P=0.012] was protective factor of SSI.

CONCLUSIONSSurgical site infection is the most common complication after primary closure of defunctioning ileostomy. Subcutaneous vacuum drainage is effective for reducing SSI in patients undergoing primary closure of ileostomy, and it is especially recommended for patients with operation time>90 min.