This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

Evaluation of Techniques Including Midtransverse or Left-Sided Colon Tube Colostomy and Pelvic Drainage

John R. Hilsabeck, MD

Arch Surg. 1981;116(7):921-925.

Abstract
• One-stage rectal anastomoses performed in 235 patients by one surgeon were studied. Of numerous techniques used to reduce anastomotic leakage, active suction drainage to remove presacral-space fluid accumulation was the most effective. Leakage developed in 11 (6.9%) of 160 patients whose conditions were managed without suction drainage or transverse or descending colon tube colostomy. In only one (1.1%) of 89 patients treated by one or both modalities did a leak develop. Seventy-two patients receiving suction drainage or both modalities had no leakage. Recorded suction drainage amounts and absence of leakage in these 72 patients support the contention that infected presacral accumulations of fluid are the most important cause of postoperative anastomotic dehiscence after rectal anastomosis. In 71 patients receiving tube colostomy, the tube site closed spontaneously following tube removal. No deaths from leakage occurred in either group.

(Arch Surg 1981;116:921-925)

Author Affiliations
From the Departments of Surgery, University of California, Irvine, and St Joseph Hospital, Orange, Calif.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication March 31, 1981.

Read before the annual meeting of the Southern California Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, Rancho Mirage, Calif, Jan 19, 1980.

Reprint requests to 1125 E 17th St, W-122, Santa Ana, CA 92701 (Dr Hilsabeck).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?