Early closure of a protective stoma is associated with less post-surgery complications in patients with rectal cancer

This study investigated the association between the early closure of a protective stoma (a surgically created opening from the abdomen to bowel) and post-surgery complications. Researchers reported that an early closure leads to a significantly lower number of complications after surgery.  

Patients with rectal cancer often receive a temporary stoma at the time of rectal surgery to reduce the risk of post-surgery complications. A stoma allows fecal matter to pass out of the body into a bag, allowing the rectum time to heal. Most stomas are left in place for up to 3 months following surgery. However, there are also complications associated with the stoma and the surgery to close it. It is possible that an earlier closure improves the complications rate related to the stoma.

The objective of this study was to investigate post-surgery complications after rectal surgery in patients which stomas were closed early (8-13 days) when compared to late closing (up to 12 weeks).

This study included 112 patients who underwent rectal surgery and protective stoma. The follow-up of patients was at the time of closure, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery.

There was an average of 1.24 complications experienced by the early closure group, significantly less than the average 2.88 complications experienced by the late closure group. 

This study determined that an earlier closure (8-13 days) of the protective stoma after rectal surgery results in a lower number of complications.