Extracorporeal staple technique: an alternative approach to the treatment of critical colostomy stenosis

We describe an extracorporeal staple technique used to treat severe colostomy stenosis under analgo-sedation, thus avoiding relaparotomy. The surgery is performed under short-term sedation. The orifice of the stoma is widened and overgrowing skin is excised. The volume and diameter of the stoma are assessed. The anvil of a circular stapler device is inserted into the lumen of the colostomy. First bowel layers and then skin are closed with purse-string sutures. One firing of the stapler is used to reshape the stoma. The procedure takes around 20-30 min. One circular stapler is used. The patient can be discharged the same day or a day after surgery. No complications were noted in operated patients. At 6- and 12-month follow-ups, a slight narrowing of the colostomy was visible, but no recurrence of the stricture was noted. The described technique is an interesting, easy and safe alternative to previous methods of treatment for stenosed end-colostomy. Importantly, it is an extra-abdominal procedure and may be offered to patients with a history of multiple abdominal operations or with serious coexisting medical conditions in the one-day surgery setting.