Colorectal study for loop colostomy closure after traumatic injuries has been considered unnecessary, because of the cost, the patient's discomfort and the exams morbidity. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the real need of colorectal study preceding colostomy closure in trauma patients. METHODS: fifty-one male patients were submitted to colostomy closure between January to June 2005. None of them were submitted to colorectal study before the surgery, neither barium enema nor colonoscopy. RESULTS: the mean age was 26.5 years and the mean interval between colostomy creation and closure was 42.2 months. The left flank was the most common colostomy location (66.6%). The morbidity rate was 13.7%, with no mortality. CONCLUSION: routine colorectal study preceding colostomy closure is not necessary after colorectal injuries.
Colostomy closure; loop colostomy; barium enema; colonoscopy
