"Incidence and risk factors associated with surgical site infection among patients that underwent stoma reversal at a Saudi tertiary hospital"

Abstract

Background: Stoma reversal is used to reconnect the area after a colostomy or ileostomy. There are multiple post-operative complications associated with stoma reversal, most commonly surgical site infection (SSI). Aim: The aim is to determine the incidence rate of SSI in stoma reversal and to assess possible risk factors associated with SSI in stoma reversal patients by analyzing operative and non-operative variables. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was done at the surgery department of king Abdulaziz medical city (KAMC) in Riyadh. All stoma reversal surgeries were either emergent or elective, open or laparoscopic and ileostomy or colostomy. Malignant and benign diseases were included. Results: Out of the 123 patients, 14 developed SSI representing 11.4%. The time to reversal was longer among patients with SSI compared to those without SSI. Significance was related to patients undergoing primary vs. secondary skin closure. Conclusion: There was no significance of the patient's primary disease and comorbidities and development of SSI. However, a longer time period between the stoma creation and stoma reversal and primary skin closure were associated with higher risk of SSI.