Early closure of transverse loop colostomies.

A transverse loop colostomy was constructed in 60 patients at the time of primary elective surgery and the stoma was then resected within one month under antibiotic cover. There was a single death unrelated to operation. Four patients developed faecal leakage, 1 became obstructed, and 6 had infected wounds. With the exception of colostomy closure following sutured coloanal anastomosis a transverse loop colostomy can be closed within one month of construction with acceptable morbidity.