After adjusting for age and clinicopathologic stage, significantly poorer survival was experienced by males, patients with extensive tumor adherent to other organ(s), those with a high-grade tumor or a tumor showing venous invasion, those who had a postoperative cardiovascular or respiratory complication, and those who did not undergo surgery by a colorectal surgeon specialist. The nature of the operation performed had no independent effect on survival.

The morbidity and mortality of 50 patients undergoing closure of loop ileostomy was reviewed. The patients had a mean age of 57.9 years and significant intercurrent disease. There were no in‐hospital deaths or anastomotic leakage at the site of closure. Small bowel obstruction occurred in 12% of patients, all of whom responded to conservative treatment. The wound infection rate was 14%, but the development of a wound infection did not result in a significantly longer hospital stay. We conclude that, when a careful technique of sharp dissection is used, closure of a loop ileostomy is associated with an acceptably low incidence of complications even in elderly and often unwell patients.

ALGIH accounts for 1% of all ED presentations, with half requiring hospital admission. Mortality and surgical intervention rates are low and although most patients can be managed supportively, access to interventional radiology/endoscopy is important.