Poster Abstracts

Aim: There is evidence towards superiority of stapled closure of loop ileostomy \nafter low rectal anastomosis compared to hand suture in terms of operative time and \nbowel obstruction rate. The aim of this study is to compare the 30-day outcomes of \nthe two techniques for ileostomy closure after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). \nMethod: Consecutive patients undergoing ileostomy closure after IPAA between \n2011–2106 were retrospectively included. Patients’ characteristics and perioperative \noutcomes were compared. \nResults: Hand-sewn suture and stapled anastomosis were performed in 280 (84.3%) \nand 52 (15.7%) patients. The two groups had comparable demographic characteristics. \nThe median operative time was the same between groups (90 min). The incidence \nof Clavien-Dindo grade I (6.4% vs. 9.6%), II (4.3% vs. 1.9%) and IIIb (1.4% \nvs. 3.8%), the median days to flatus (2 vs. 2.5, P 0.3) and the length of hospital stay \n(6 days in both, P 0.9) were similar between groups. A slightly higher although \nnon-significant rate of bowel obstruction was observed in the stapled group (3.8% \nvs. 2.5%, P 0.6). \nConclusion: The loop ileostomy after IPAA should be closed according to the surgeon’s \npreference using indifferently the hand-sewn or the stapled technique, as the \nexpected outcomes are similar.