Early vs. delayed closure of temporary covering ileostomy: a prospective study.

Temporary loop ileostomies constructed to protect distal anastomoses are generally closed at 8 to 12 weeks, a period long enough to encounter stoma-related complications, which reduces the quality of life. Early closure may be considered to overcome these adverse effects. This prospective study was designed to investigate the reliability of early closure of loop ileostomies.Fifty consecutive patients were sequentially distributed either to group A (delayed closure) or group B (early closure). Anastomotic integrity was examined before closure in all patients.There were 25 patients in each group who were comparable in terms of age, sex, comorbid conditions, primary pathology, and tumor stage. Early closure was achieved in 88% (n=22) of the patients in group B. Stoma-related complications were significantly greater in group A patients (44% vs. 16%) (p<0.05) while the complications following closure were similar in both groups (16% vs. 8%) (p>0.05).Early closure during the same hospital admission produces less stoma-related complications with similar accomplishment as the late closure. Early closure of temporary ileostomy is recommended in suitable patients without anastomotic complications.