Colostomy in Children

Objective: In this study; the rate of complications and mortality of colostomy procedure were investigated in children. Material and Method: Ninety six patients who have undergone colostomy procedure in our clinic between 1996 and 2012 due to different reasons were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Fifty-seven of the patients were male and 39 were female. Their ages ranged from 1 day to 13 (mean 1,1 years) years, and 52 of them were younger than 1 month of age. The most frequent indications for colostomy was anorectal malformations in 57 patients and Hirschsprung's disease in 26 patients. The type of colostomy was separated or modified separated in 53, loop in 27, and Hartmann in 16 patients. There were 36 postoperative complications in 34 cases. Peristomal dermatitis have been detected in 19 (53 %), stomal bleeding in 4 (11%), prolapse in 4 (11%), stomal ischemia in 4 (11%), evisceration in 3 (8%) and stomal stenosis or obstruction in 2 (5.5%) patients. The complications occurred more frequent in the transverse colon and by Hartmann type colostomies. There was a need for a revision by 7 patients. Death occurred by 10 patients but no one was related with colostomy. All deaths were in the neonatal period, and the most frequent cause was associated major congenital abnormality. Conclusion: The primary pathology is the most important factor in the development of the colostomy complications. Although colostomies' have a high complication rate, the number of patients who need revision is low.