Indications of a Defunctioning Stoma in Colorectal Anastomosis--Our Experience and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND Defunctioning stomas can prevent consequences of anastomotic leakage, but they are not free of complications. OBJECTIVES The identification of high-risk patients to establish criteria for strong and relative indications for the formation of a defunctioning stoma. METHODS Two hundred fifty consecutive colorectal anastomoses were performed between 2004 and 2015; 95.2% of these were for colorectal cancer. In 130 cases, mechanical anastomosis was used. A protective stoma was performed in only 15 cases. The incidence of anastomotic leakage was evaluated according to multiple parameters, as were the postoperative complications related to protective stomas. The outcomes were compared to those reported in the literature. RESULTS Symptomatic anastomotic leakage occurred in six patients (2.4%) and resulted in four deaths. None of the patients with a protective stoma developed serious complications related to the colorectal anastomosis. However, serious ileostomy-related complications occurred in two cases (15.38%). CONCLUSIONS Protective stomas should be used only according to the risk criteria of the patients. Strong indications are: anastomotic imperfections, anastomosis under tension, previous pelvic irradiation, ultralow anastomosis in patients older than 70 years, patients over 80 years, and significant co-morbidities.