Ten Cases of Early Stoma Closure after Rectal Resection

Abstract

Closure of the temporary stoma after low rectal resection is generally considered after 3 months. However, stoma-related complications have become a problem, and there are reports of early stoma closure mainly in foreign countries. We reviewed 10 cases of early stoma closure after rectal resection experienced in our department. The median age was 62 years old, and there were four men and six women. Their diseases included adenocarcinoma in eight cases and neuroendocrine tumor (NET) in two cases, and the median distance from the anal verge to the tumor was 70 mm. Gastrografin enema was performed before closure to confirm that there were no problems with the rectal anastomosis. The median distance from the anal verge to the anastomosis was 35 mm, and the median period from resection to closure was 12.5 days. No complications related to rectal anastomosis were observed, and the median length of hospital stay after resection was 21 days in eight patients who underwent resection and closure in the same hospitalization. Early stoma closure has the advantage of stoma creation to prevent aggravation of anastomotic leakage while also avoiding stoma-related complications as much as possible.