TRENDS IN THE DESIGN, INDICATIONS AND COMPLICATIONS OF CHILDHOOD COLOSTOMY IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA

Okoro Philemon E.* and Okoi Nnyonno U.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The need for colostomy is mostly due to some congenital anomalies involving the large bowel and or the anorectum. Consequently most colostomies in children are created in neonatal life when it often makes the difference between life and death. Despite its crucial role, it is often attended with morbidity and sometimes mortality. Aim: To elucidate the types, indications and complications of childhood colostomy in our region, and to highlight any changes in the trends. Patients and Methods: This is a three year retrospective review of the records of consecutive cases of patients aged 15 years and below who had colostomy between February 2016 and January 2019 in our centre. Data obtained and analyzed on Excel spreadsheet included the age, gender, indication for colostomy, type of colostomy, duration of colostomy before closure, complications recorded. Results: Forty six children who had colostomy during the period reviewed were included in this study, and they comprised 27 males and 19 females. The age range was from 1 day to 13 years with a median at 6.5 days. Loop sigmoid colostomy was the commonest type and skin excoriations followed by prolapse was the commonest complication recorded. Conclusion: The indications and complications of colostomy has not changed much over the past two decades. The type has however shifted from transverse to more of sigmoid colostomy. There is unacceptably high rate of skin excoriations in children with colostomy and making available and affordable paediatric colostomy bags can change the trend.

Keywords: Colostomy; Children; Trends; Loop; Divided; Complications.