Evaluation of the early results of a loop stoma with a plastic rod in comparison to a loop stoma made with a skin bridge.

UNLABELLED Loop stoma allows reducing the percentage of anastomotic leak and re-operation caused by this complication. Our department has performed the loop stoma on a skin bridge since 2011. The aim of the study was to evaluate the early results of treatment after the skin bridge loop stoma creation in comparison with the stoma made on a plastic rod. Both groups had 20 patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved 40 patients with ileostomy, operated 2010-2013. We evaluated 20 patients with a loop ileostomy on a plastic rod, compared to 20 other patients with a skinbridge ileostomy. The study included 24 men and 16 women. Median age was 68.3. All evaluated patients were previously operated due to rectal cancer. RESULTS It has been shown that the surgical site infection is more common in the group with a plastic rod (5 vs 1 patient). Inflammation of the skin around the stoma occurred in 18 patients (90%) in the first group, while no such complication was found in patients in the second group. The average number of exchanged ostomy wafers was 2.9 per week in the first group of patients, and 1,1 in the second group (p 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The creation of the skin bridge stoma allows for tight fit of the ostomy appliance immediately after surgery completion. The equipment has stable and long-lasting contact with the skin, no skin inflammatory changes occur. Also the surgical site infection rates are lower in this group of patients. As perioperative patient does not require an increased number of ostomy appliance, the cost of treatment can be considered as an important aspect.