Complications of colostomy closure in Zaria, Nigeria: a report of 70 cases.

The result of 70 Colostomy Closures (1979-1988) were analysed using certain factors considered to influence morbidity and mortality. 20/70 (28.5 pc) had wound infection, two patients (2.8) suffered wound dehiscence, two anastomotic leak, two intraabdominal abscesses, two small bowel obstructions, two transient large bowel obstructions (anastomotic oedema) two incisional hernias. There were two deaths, a mortality of 2.8 pc. Only the method of bowel preparation the location of colostomy and type of closure were found to significantly affect morbidity. There was an overall morbidity of 37.7 pc.